OKDER OF AMPHIBIA. 101 



is not piscivorous, but subsists mainly as described.] Its long 

 canine teetb are, above all, very useful to it in hoisting itself up 

 on to the sbores, or over the ice wbich is in its way ; they serve it 

 also as points of support-, or fulcra, and assist it to advance, by 

 drawing itself along on its anterior members. It often mounts 

 upon floating icebergs, on which it will drift about for hours 

 together. 



The female brings forth in winter one or two young ones, which 

 she tends with solicitude and defends with energy. 



Naturally mild and inoffensive, the Morse becomes very bold 

 when it is attacked and wounded: Under such circumstances it will 

 fight with the utmost fury, and shows its desire for vengeance by 

 all its actions. If on land, and consequently incapable of pursuing 

 its enemies, its feeling of helplessness makes it utter furious cries ; 

 it tears up the soil with its tusks, and attacks everything it meets 

 with on its way. But to avoid being injured by it, after it is 

 wounded, all that is necessary is for the hunters to keep at a 

 respectfid distance. In the sea, on the contrary, where it can dis- 

 play aU its activity, the Morse is I'ather to be feared ; so much the 

 more so on account of the strict union in which it lives with its 

 fellows, who never fail to come in great numbers to help any of 

 their companions which are threatened with danger. They sur- 

 round the boat, and try to sink it by running it through 

 with their tusks, or capsize it by bearing with their whole 

 weight upon its sides. Sometimes, indeed, they even try to 

 board boats, much to the disgust of the sailors, who have no 

 idea of keeping such company. If the boats row oif, they follow 

 them for a long while, and only stop when they are quite out 

 of sight. 



The Morse has to struggle, not only against Man, but also against 

 the Bears which inhabit the same latitudes. Although the White 

 Bears are provided with formidable means of attack, they do not 

 always come out of the combat victorious. The deep wounds which 

 they carry away with them after their battles with the Morse 

 sufficiently attest the valour and power of the animals which they 

 wished to make their victims. 



Formerly the Morses existed in such great quantities in 

 certain parts of the icy Arctic Ocean, and were at the same time 

 so bold, that they allowed themselves to be approached by bands 



