THE WALRUS. 125 
that has yet been examined, the structure seems to be of hardly sufficient 
importance for the establishment of a separate species. The ivory which is 
furnished by these extraordinary weapons is of very fine quality, and com- 
mands a high price in the market. 
A Walrus is a valuable animal, for even in this country its skin, teeth, and 
oil are in much request, while among the Esquimaux its body furnishes them 
with almost every article in common 
use. Among civilized men, the skin 
of the Walrus is employed for har- 
ness and other similar purposes 
where a thick and tough hide is 
required. The tooth furnishes very 
good ivory, of a beautiful texture, 
and possessing the advantage of 
retaining the white hue longer than 
ivory which is made from the 
elephant tusk. The oil is delicate, 
but there is very little to be ob- 
tained from each Walrus, the layer 
of fatty matter being scarcely more 
than a hand’s-breadth in thickness. 
Among the Esquimaux the Walrus 
is put to a variety of uses. Fish- WALRUS, OR MORSE.—(7vichecus 
hooks are made from its tusks, the _ Rosmarus.) 
intestines are twisted into nets, its 
oil and flesh are eaten, and its bones and skin are also turned to account by 
these rude but ingenious workmen. 
The Walrus is found in vast herds, which frequent the coasts of the arctic 
and antarctic regions, and which congregate in such numbers that their 
united roarings have often given timely warning to fog-bewildered sailors, 
and acquainted them with the near proximity of shore. These herds present 
acurious sight, as the huge clumsy animals are ever in movement, rolling 
and tumbling over each other in a strange fashion, and constantly uttering 
their hoarse bellowings. 
The movements of the Walrus when on land are of a very clumsy character, 
as might be supposed from the huge, unwieldy body of the animal, and the 
evident insufficiency of the limbs to urge the weighty 
body forward with any speed. When this creature is 
hurried or alarmed, it contrives to get over the ground 
at a pace that, although not very rapid, is yet wonder- 
fully so when the size of the animal is taken into account. 
The movement is a mixture of jerks and leaps, and the 
Walrus is further aided in its progress by the tusks. Should 
it be attacked, and its retreat cut off, the Walrus advances 
fiercely upon its enemy, striking from side to side with WALRUS’S SKULL. 
its long tusks, and endeavouring to force a passage into 
the sea. If it should be successful in its attempt, it hurries to the water's 
edge, lowers its head, and rolls unceremoniously into the sea, where it is in 
comparative safety. . 
This animal attains to a very great size, so great, indeed, that its dimen- 
sions can hardly be appreciated except by ocular demonstration. A full- 
grown male Walrus is generally from twelve to fifteen feet in length, while 
there are many specimens that have been known to attain a still greater size. 
The skin is black and smooth, and is sparingly covered with brown hairs, 
which become more numerous on the feet. 
