204 The Commercial* Products of the Sea. 



Having fully described and figured the marine mam- 

 malia of any commercial value in another work,* I would 

 refer those desirous of further details to it. 



The walrus {Trichecus rosmai'us) furnishes some eco- 

 nomic products, in its flesh, its skin, its teeth, and the oil 

 obtained from the blubber. The inhabitants of the 

 Arctic regions esteem its flesh. The hide, when cut into 

 shreds and plaited into cordage, forms lines used in cap- 



FiG. 13. 



Walrus. 



turing the whale. It has also been successfully used 

 for belting and for covering skin-boats. The quantity of 

 walrus tusks obtained in Alaska averages 100,000 lbs. in 

 weight. The teeth, which weigh about four pounds the 

 pair, used to be in great demand by dentists. Among the 

 Chinese this dentine is employed for those various uses to 

 which they turn ivory so skilfully. Walrus oil is a well- 

 known article of commerce. 



The Whale Fishery. — Narratives and accounts have so 

 frequently and graphically been written, that it is not 



* "Animal Products: their Preparation, Commercial Uses, and Value." 

 Chapman and Hall, 1877. 



