ORDER V. THE CARNIVORA. 229 



their blood. "We afterwards oliscrved them bringing tlicm up at times 

 above the surface, as if for respiration, and again diving under, with dread- 

 ful bellowing. The female, in particular, whose young had been destroyed 

 and taken into the boat, became so enraged that she attacked the cutter, and 

 stuck her tusks through tlie bottom of it." 



From a very early period the walrus has ])cen hunted for its teeth, and 

 oil, and skin. Tlie oil is said to be of greater value than that of tlic whale ; 

 the average yield of each animal is about thirty gallons. The tusks furnish 

 an ivory superior to tiiat of the elephant, and the skins are applied to a 

 variety of useful purposes, such as the manufacture of harness, carriages, 

 and glue. Zorgdrager states tliat a fireenlander will never venture to 

 attack a walrus alone, but will require the assistance of three or four com- 

 jianions, who are acquainted witli all the habits of the creature, and espe- 

 cially its mode of warfare. They employ a harpoon, wliicli, however, from 

 the toughness of the iiide, is an uncertain weapon, as it is not easily fixed. 

 Wlien the instrument holds, tlie animal is allowed to swim about till it is 

 wearied, when they try to secure it, and kill it with lances. PjuI even under 

 these circumstances tlie conquest is attended with great difficulty, as the 

 walrus, aware of its peril, arouses himself for the conflict, and puts forth 

 all his gigantic strength. In this crisis the luuiters usually aim at the eyes, 

 which causes the animal to turn its head, when a fatal blow is struck at the 

 breast. 



Admiral Beechey gives a vivid account of a battle with an army of sea 

 horses in Magdalena Bay, Siiitzbergen. Several lierds of them had, one 

 evening, crawled upon the ice, to enjoy the fine weather and rest themselves. 

 The boats, properly equipped, and manned with some of the officers and 

 seamen, pushed oft" in pursuit of them. Tiic first herd which was selected 

 disappointed the sportsmen, but another was so intent upon its gambols that 

 the sentinel absolutely forgot liis duty, and several of the crew managed to 

 effect a landing upon the ice without any alarm being given to the animals ; 

 as soon, however, as the first musket was fired, the affrighted group made 

 such a desperate rush towards the edge of the ice, that they nearly over- 

 turned the whole assailing party, purposely stationed there to intercept 

 them. The seamen, finding this charge more formidable than they expected, 

 were obliged to separate, to allow their opponents to pass through their 

 ranks ; and being thus, in their turn, taken by surprise, they suffered them, 

 almost unmolested, to perform their somersets towards the sea. M hat 

 with their imcertain movements, the extreme touglmess of their skin, and 

 the respectful distance at which the men were obliged to keep to a\oid the 

 lashing of the head and tnsks of the animals, it was indeed no easy task to 

 inflict any serious injury ujion them. One, however, was desperately 



