LECTURE IV. 137 



in their osconomy or mode of life exhibit many 

 curious particularities, for the description of which 

 I must refer to the last edition of Mr. Pennant's 

 History of Quadrupeds, where a fnll description 

 of their manners will be found, extracted from 

 the Avorks of Steller and other travellers of high 

 authority. 



I proceed to the next genus, which is entitled. 

 Trichechus or TValruss, It is characterized by the 

 waitt_ of fore-teeth, and by a very large tusk on 

 each side, pointing downwards : the grinders are 

 obtuse, Y/ith v/rinkled or irregular surfaces at the 

 top. The feet resemble those of the genus Phoca 

 in structure, but the hind-feet are placed still 

 more backward, and e\ei\ coalesce or unite into 

 the appearance of a single fin in some species. 

 The principal species in the Trichechus Rosmanis 

 of Linnaeus, or the Northern Walruss, an animal 

 of vast size, having been often seen of the length 

 of eighteen feet. Its shape resembles that of a 

 Seal, but it is of a thicker or less elegant aspect j 

 its ;coloiir is a dark brown j the skin being thick, 

 and scattered over with short dusky hair: the head 

 is small, and rounded, the upper lip \eTy large, 

 divided in the middle, and beset with numerous 



