THE WALRUS. 269 



mentions its occurrence on the coast of Scotland. Since his 

 time, two instances only have been recorded of its appearance 

 on the British coasts. Dr. Fleming says, that in December 

 1817, a solitary individual was shot while lying on a small 

 rock at the Sound of Stockness, on the east coast of Harris, 

 which was upwards of ten feet in length, and the tusks measured 

 eight inches and a half in length.* The last instance is that of 

 one which was killed in Orkney, in June 1825. 



The walrus resembles the true seals in its limbs, the general 

 form of its body, stomach, and intestines, but differs widely from 

 them in the head and teeth. The body, which has a very 

 unwieldy appearance, and is very stout in comparison with the 

 length, possesses a very thick and smooth skin of a blackish 

 colour 3 the neck is very short j the head disproportionately 

 small -, the eyes are small and bright ; the auditory apertures 

 are placed far back in the head; the nippers or hind feet are 

 extremely broad, and furnished with stiffish brown hairs ; and 

 the tail is very short. 



The canine teeth, which are two in number, and situated one 

 on each side in the upper jaw only, are directed downwards, and 

 serve as a pair of powerful weapons of defence, being very 

 strong, and usually from eight to fourteen inches in length, 



* History of British Animals (1828). 



