THE WALRUS. 



177 



side. There is considerable diversity in their length, shape, and size, even in the 

 full-grown tusks, some being very short and stout, while others are elongated and 

 slender. The Walrus has no sharp incisors like the seal. The nostrils are placed on 

 the superior portion of the snout, through which the animal appears to inspire, and 

 expires through its mouth, as it dips its head below the surface, blowing up the 

 water into spray, in such a manner as to resemble the spout of a wdiale. Never 

 having had an opportunity of taking detailed measurements of the Walrus, we quote 

 from the most reliable authorities: "Its fore feet, or flippers, are from two to 

 two and a half feet in length, and about twelve inches in breadth ; they are webbed, 

 and the under sides are protected by a tough skin, a quarter of an inch or 

 more in thickness. The posterior flippers are from two to three feet long, and are 



Walruses. 



capable of expansion at their extremity nearly equal to their length ; each toe is 

 furnished with a small nail." The skin of the animal is thick and somewhat spongy, 

 but exceedingly tough. The hair that covers it m most adult individuals is short 

 and of a dark brown ; yet there is no lack of examples where it is of a much 

 lighter shade, or a light but dingy gray. Unlike others of the seal tribe, the 

 animal is abundantly infested with vermin. Under the skin lies the coating of fat 

 which yields oil— it is from two to three inches in thickness. The appearance of 

 the fully developed Walrus in the water, with its long tusks, which seem like an 

 incumbrance, has a striking contrast with that of the common seal. The young, 

 however, before its cumbrous canines protrude, resembles the latter in general form, 

 but is of a black color. On land the Walrus is comparatively inactive and clumsy 



Marine Mammals. —23. 



