136 Anecdotal Natural History. 



combined onset of the alarmed animals, dogs are 

 employed in order to separate them as much as 

 possible, and to distract their attention from their 

 pursuers. When driven to bay the walrus becomes a 

 very formidable enemy, the huge tusks being capable 

 of inflicting most terrible wounds. 



In spite of its enormous size, a full-grown walrus 

 attaining to the length of fourteen or fifteen feet, and 

 weighing as much as a large elephant, the animal has 

 often been tamed, and has even been taught to pro- 

 cure fish for its master, and to bring them to land 

 untouched. 



ANOTHER strange and grotesque animal of this 

 tribe is the Sea Elephant, or Elephant Seal (Morunga 

 proboscidea\ so called from its enormous bulk, and 

 also from the elongation of the snout, which some- 

 what resembles the trunk of the elephant. 



Huge as is the walrus, the elephant seal is far 

 superior in size, having been known to reach the 

 extraordinary dimensions of thirty feet in length, and 

 eighteen feet in the circumference of the body. The 

 strange nasal development, like the helmet of the 

 crested seal, is found only in the adult males. Unless 

 the animal is frightened or alarmed it is not very con- 

 spicuous ; in such a case, however, the snout is 

 thrown forward, and the animal blows through it with 

 great violence, causing a strange harsh sound, which 

 is audible at a considerable distance. 



Notwithstanding their huge dimensions, the ele- 

 phant seals are by no means so formidable as the 

 walrus, apparently possessing no idea of revenging 

 themselves upon their pursuers. When alarmed, they 

 make for the water, the whole body quivering like so 

 much jelly, on account of the fat with which the body 

 \s laden. 



From this fat a valuable oil is procured in large 



