DR. J. MURIE ON THE ANATOMY OF THE WALRUS. 413 
observers should be at variance in such a patent fact as that of colour; but I suppose 
that as the skin is much darker on emergence from the water, and probably most so in 
juveniles, this may account for the discrepancy. Although the rule may not be appli- 
cable in all cases, yet in the greater number of instances it would seem as if the 
Phocide, or Earless Seals, in their earlier stages are whitish, inclining to yellowish or 
a darker tint with advancing age; whilst contrariwise the Otaride', or Eared Seals, at 
birth are very dark, assuming a lighter shade according to the stage of growth. The 
limited group Trichechide, exemplified by the Walrus, stands midway between these as 
regards progressive variation of colour. 
2. General Configuration and Manner of Walking.—To those familiar with the huge 
plump overgrown carcass of an adult live Walrus, no doubt the Society’s accession of 
“Jemmy” appeared a poor representative of the great northern Sea-horses; never- 
theless to those unacquainted with the living form, it conveyed a fair notion of those 
queer-looking Pinnipedia. The size of the creature, only slightly larger than the Sea- 
lion (0. jubata), previously an occupant of the same yard, yielded advantages, inas- 
much as a comparison of the two was thereby enhanced. Several common Seals (Phoca 
vitulina) in the adjoining compartment further supplied the means of appreciating 
the external structural modifications. 
The absence of the great canine teeth or tusks, so singularly characteristic of the 
adult, immediately impressed the visitor with the animal’s imperfect development; but 
the massive bristly muzzle pronounced unmistakably the parentage. The head, body, 
and limbs were absolutely and proportionally more massive than in the Otaria, and 
the general aspect shaggy, loosely set, and forbidding. At first, as has already been 
recorded, it advanced with the belly awkwardly draggling on the ground, pushing 
itself along by, rather than supporting the body on, the limbs, not after the manner of 
Seals, by jerking abdominal movements, but absolutely crawling as a child would in 
its infancy*. Afterwards, however, it acquired greater strength of limb, and in conse- 
quence altered its mode of progression. 
Dr. Gray (see paper cited) has brought together and reproduced in telling woodcuts 
some ten of the most remarkable figures displaying the attitudes of the Morse. As he 
justly observes, “‘ most of the oldest figures were purely imaginary ;” and certainly those 
of Gesner (1560), Olaus Magnus (1568), and Martens (1675) are laughable caricatures. 
Even Buffon, as Von Baer and Gray show, was ignorant of, or had neglected, Hessel 
Gerrard’s (1613) very natural-like representation of an old and a young animal, and gave 
in his ‘ Histoire Naturelle’ little else than a Seal with a pair of tusks. Von Baer 
* See illustration and text concerning Otaria jubata, P. Z. 8. 1869, pl. vii. 
* The accompanying woodcut from the pencil of Mr. Wood, p. 416, gives a fair idea of the attitude here 
spoken of, and the general tout ensemble of the creature. Through the kind intercession of Mr. Tegetmeier the 
proprietors of ‘The Field’ haye liberally granted the use of the woodblock, which I take this opportunity of 
acknowledging. 
3M 2 
