TDK SISAL TBIBE. 



95 



The Walrus is often hunted for the sake of its oil, its flesh, 

 its skin, and its teeth. It is generally found in troops, and if one 

 is wounded, its companions rush to its rescue and attack the enemy 

 with their sharp tusks, which they have been known to drive 

 through the bottom of a boat. Their skin is so strong and slippery 

 that it is very difficult to drive the harpoon through it, and even a 

 sharp weapon frequently glides off without injuring the animal. 

 The great enemy of the walrus is the polar bear, who does not 

 always venture on an open battle, as when a combat takes place, 

 the walrus defends himself most vigorously with his curved tusks, 

 and often inflicts fearful gashes on the bear, forcing it to abandon 

 the contest. 



The head of this animal is very small in proportion to the 

 remainder of its body, and often deceives people as to its size, 

 which is difficult to ascertain without examination. The stuffed 

 specimen in the British Museum, although in bad preservation, 

 gives a tolerable idea of the animal. The expression of its 

 countenance is very ferocious, principally on account of the enor- 

 mous size of the upper lip and the thick bristles with which it is 

 covered. The length of the Walrus is about fifteen or sixteen 

 %et, and it yields from twenty to thirty gallons of excellent oil. 



