HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



467 



The WALRUS, or SEA-HORSE. 



THERE are feveral animals whofe refidence is al- 

 moft conftantly in the water, and which feem to 

 partake greatly of the nature of fifties, that are neverthe- 

 lefs clafled by naturalifts under the denomination of qua- 

 drupeds ; and being perfectly amphibious, living with 

 equal eafe in the water as on land, may be confidered as 

 the laft ftep in the fcale of Nature, by which we are 

 conducted from one great divifion of the animal world to 

 the other. — Of thefe the Walrus is the moft confiderable 

 for its fize, being fometimes found eighteen feet in 

 length, and twelve in circumference at the thickefh part: 

 It is likewife remarkable for two large tulks in the upper 

 jaw, which fometimes exceed two feet in length, and 

 weigh from three to twenty pounds each. 



The head of the Walrus is round ; its lips very broad, 

 and covered over with thick pellucid briftles ; its eyes 

 fmall and red; inftead of ears, it has two fmall orifices; 

 and above the whilkers, femicircular noftrils, through 

 Gp 



