58 
ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
seals in haying the anterior limbs entirely at liberty, and not 
at all enveloped by any integument. 
The Morse or Walrus QTrichechus Rosmarus ) is closely 
allied to the seal in appearance, but chiefly distinguished 
from it in size, (weighing from 1,500 to 2,000 lbs.) It has 
also two Jarge canine teeth or tusks, measuring from ten to 
twenty inches, directed downwards from the upper jaw, and 
curved towards the body. These 
are probably made use of by the 
animal as an assistance in climbing 
the ice, acting on the principle of a 
hook, as well as in self-defence. 
Scoresby relates an instance in 
which two Walruses, when attacked, 
attempted to destroy the boat containing their assailants, by 
rising alongside and hooking their tusks over its sides, 
evidently with the purpose of swamping it. Cuvier, in 
speaking of its teeth says, “ that it has a system altogether 
peculiar, as it is not better adapted for bruising vegetable, 
than for cutting animal food ; the teeth from their struc- 
ture, must act like a pestle and mortar.” When undisturbed 
they are fearless and inoffensive, slow and clumsy on land, 
but easy of motion in the water. They are found abundantly 
on the coasts of Davis’ Straits, and the Magdalen islands ; 
individuals have been met with on Anticosti, which, as well 
as one or two that are stated to have been seen on the 
shores of the Lower St. Lawrence, probably were unwilling 
visitors on some drifting iceberg. Their peculiar habitat 
is the extreme northern coast of this continent. 
