56 
NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
extremity of the muzzle. Ear openings distinct, two and a half inches behind and beneath 
the eyes. The cheeks and nasal sac, with 25 - 30 strong whiskers on each side, arranged 
in rows converging forwards ; those of the upper series, small and black ; of the lower, very 
stout, white, flattened, and about 5*0 long: all directed downwards. Under the lens, they 
exhibit alternate short bevels on each side. Anterior swimming paws fifteen inches long, 
arising about twenty inches from the end of the jaw, and furnished with five strong, com¬ 
pressed, channelled claws, of which the external is largest. Posterior feet of same length, 
with their webs lunated, fifteen inches wide, and furnished with five flattened nails not 
extending, either in the fore or hind feet, to the end of the web. Tail three inches wide at 
base, flattened and tapering to the tip, and covered with hair similar to that on the body. 
Teeth. The incisors above cylindrical, contiguous ; the exterior largest, and nearly half as 
large as the canine; the upper canines larger than those below, and more incurved. The 
incisors below, very small and cylindrical. Cheek teeth in both jaws small, distant and 
trenchant, with a notch on the posterior part of the edge ; the first remote from the canine, 
and smallest. 
Color. Grey and dark brown, distributed in irregular patches ; on the abdomen, the grey 
predominates. Eyes represented as dull greenish. Nasal sac bright brown or rufous. Fore 
and hind feet of a uniform blackish brown. Claws dark at base, light horn at their tips. 
Total length,_.._90‘5. 
Length of tail,__ 6*5. 
Weight, ..... 5 - 600 lbs. 
This description was taken from an adult male captured near Eastchester, about fifteen 
miles from the city. It made considerable resistance, emitted a bellowing noise when 
attacked, and exhibited no symptoms of fear. 
This is an inhabitant of the northern regions, having been seen as high as the seventieth 
parallel. The preceding must be considered as the first notice of its existence within our 
territorial limits, where it can only be regarded as a rare and accidental visitor. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 
Genus Trichecus, Lin. Form and habits of the preceding genera. Four incisors above in the young, 
none below. Two canines enlarged into enormous tusks. Cheek teeth, £ - J; the last above 
rudimentary, deciduous. 
T. rosmarus. Walrus or Morse. (Godman, Yol. 1, p. 354, figure.) Tusks 12 0 - 36 0 long. Skin 
with short yellowish brown hair. Length 12 - 15 feet. 
Obs. These were formerly numerous on our coast, but are now scarcely ever found south of Cape 
Sable. 
(fossil.) 
T. virginianus. (Plate 19, fig. 1, a, b. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 1, p. 271. Cab. Lyceum.) Cheek teeth 
with obliquely truncated crowns, not ridged; the second smaller than the first. Accomac county , 
Virginia. 
