INNUIT CHARACTER, CUSTOMS, ETC. 



581 



showing that they are accustomed to watch his movements close- 

 ly. He has a very ingenious way of killing the walrus, which is 

 represented in the accompanying engraving. 



POLAB BEAR KILLING A WALIiUS. 



In August, every fine day, the walrus makes his way to the 

 shore, draws his huge body up on the rocks, and basks in the 

 sun. If this happen near the base of a cliff, the ever-watchful 

 bear takes advantage of the circumstance to attack this formida- 

 ble game in this way: The bear mounts the cliff, and throws 

 down upon the animal's head a large rock, calculating the distance 

 and the curve with astonishing accuracy, and thus crushing the 

 thick, bullet-proof skull. 



If the walrus is not instantly killed — simply stunned — the bear 

 rushes down to the walrus, seizes the rock, and hammers away at 

 the head till the skull is broken. A fat feast follows. Unless 

 the bear is very hungry, it eats only the blubber of the walrus, 

 seal, and whale. 



The bear can catch a seal in the water. He sees it, drops his 

 body beneath the surface, allowing only his head to be visible, 

 that having the appearance of a piece of ice. While the seal has 



