USES OP THE IVORY. 145 



been torn out of one of the planks, and the 

 hole was patched with sheet-lead. 



Walrus-tusks are composed of very hard, 

 dense, and white ivory. Their small size ren- 

 dering them inapplicable for many ivory manu- 

 factures, they do not command nearly the 

 price of elephant ivory, but they are in high 

 repute for the manufacture of false teeth, 

 and are also made into chessmen, umbrella- 

 handles, whistles, and other small articles. 



The upper lip of the walrus is thickly set 

 with strong, transparent, bristly hairs, about 

 six inches long, and as thick as a crow-quill ; 

 and this terrific moustache, together with his 

 long white tusks, and fierce -looking, blood- 

 shot eyes, gives Mosmarus trichecus altoge- 

 ther a most unearthly and demoniacal appear- 

 ance as he rears his head above the waves. 

 I think it not unlikely that the old fable of the 

 mermaid may have been originated by their 

 grim resemblance to the head of a human 

 being when in this position. 



There is one very striking peculiarity con- 

 nected with the osteological structure of the 

 walrus, which I do not recollect to have ob- 

 served a mention of in any of the printed 

 accounts of the animal. I dare not amplify 



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