•240 
BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
8o. — The Walrus in New Brunswick. 
Read April 5, 1904, 
It is generally known that the Walrus or Sea-cow (Trichechus 
rosmarus) formerly occurred along the north coast of New 
Brunswick, but the evidence for its occurrence is not readily 
accessible. Cooney, (Northern New Brunswick and Gaspe, 1832, 
page 30), speaks of its former (traditional) occurrence on Por- 
tage Island, Miramichi; and Perley, (Reports on the Sea and 
River Fisheries of New Brunswick, 1852, page 33), speaks of 
the former prosperous fishery for these animals at Point Miscou, 
and tells us that on his visit to Grande Plaine, near Point Miscou, 
in 1850, — 
The bones of the Walrus which had formerly been slain there, 
were found imbedded in the sand in large quantities, and in good 
preservation, some of the skeletons being quite complete. 
So far as I can find, these two are the only positive original 
references to its presence in New Brunswick waters in the 
accessible New Brunswick literature.* Very much more exact 
and very satisfactory information on the subject, however, occurs 
in the very rare and little known book, “ Narrative of an Extra- 
ordinary Escape out of the Hands of the Indians in the Gulph 
of St. Lawrence,” by Gamaliel Smethurst, published in London 
in 1774. In the course of the description of his journey, in 
October to December, 1761, from Nepisiguit along the coast to 
Bale Verte, the author has the following references to the Walrus : 
November 20. The Erenchman where I lodged, and most 
of the village [on the site of the present Neguac Village] set off 
this morning for Point Miscou, to hunt sea-cows for their oil, 
which they make use of in winter instead of butter. (Page 18). 
December 9. Came to a large river, called Chedaick 
[Shediac] .... A sea-cow lifted its head out of the water, and 
came swimming after the canoe — the Erenchmen soon shot it — 
it had 2 large teeth out of water in the upper jaw pointing down- 
wards — these serve for defence, to climb rocks with, &c. — a full 
grown sea-cow will make two barrels of oil in autumn, when they 
are fattest — they are easily killed with a ball — very unwieldy — 
♦Adams’ Field and F'orest Rambles, 39, and Gilpin, Trans. Nova Scotia Institute of 
Nat. Science, II, 126, also refer to the subject, but with no new facts. 
An interestinj^ account of the Sea-cow fishery in Prince Edward Island is given by 
A. B. Warburton in “ Acadiensis,” III, 116-119. 
