534 MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY. 



tuting two large pointed tusks, which attain a length of over 

 fifteen inches (fig. 205). The direction of the tusks is down- 

 wards and slightly outwards, and they project considerably 

 below the chin. The adult animal has usually three simple 

 molars with flat crowns behind the tusks in the upper jaw; and 

 four similar teeth on each side of the lower jaw ; but the first 

 of these has been regarded as a lower canine. 



Except as regards its dentition, the Walrus agrees in all 

 essential respects with the Seals. It is a large and heavy 

 animal, attaining a length of from ten to fifteen feet or up- 

 wards. The body is covered with short brownish or yellowish 

 hair, and the face bears many long stiff bristles. There are 

 no external ears. The chief use of the tusk -like canines 

 appears to be that of assisting the unwieldy animal to get out 

 of the water upon the ice ; but they doubtless serve as weapons 

 of offence and defence as well. The Walrus is hunted by 

 whalers, both for its blubber, which yields an excellent oil, and 

 for the ivory of the tusks. It is found, living in* herds, in the 

 Arctic seas, being especially abundant at Spitzbergen and Nova 

 Zembla. 



SECTION II. PLANTIGRADA. The Carnivorous animals be- 

 longing to this section apply the whole or the greater part of 

 the sole of the foot to the ground (fig. 203, A); and the por- 

 tion of the sole so employed is destitute of hairs in most 

 instances (the sole is hairy in the Polar Bear). 



The typical family of the Plantigrade Carnivora is that of 

 the Urstda or Bears, in which the entire sole of the foot is ap- 

 plied to the ground in walking. The Ursidce are much less 

 purely carnivorous than the majority of the order, and in ac- 

 cordance with their omnivorous habits, the teeth do not exhibit 

 the typical carnivorous characters. The incisors and canines 

 have the ordinary carnivorous form, but the " carnassial " or 

 sectorial molar has a tuberculate crown instead of a sharp 

 cutting edge. The dental formula is 



3=3. 44 ?2 = 



33 i i 44 33 



The claws are large, strong, and curved, but are not retrac- 

 tile. The tongue is smooth ; the ears small, erect, and rounded ; 

 the tail short ; the nose forms a movable truncated snout ; and 

 the pupil is circular. 



As shown by their smooth tongues and tuberculate molars, 

 the Bears are not peculiarly or strictly carnivorous. They eat 

 flesh when they can obtain it, but a great part of their food is 

 of a vegetable nature. 



