ORDER OE AMPHIBIA. 
101 
is not piscivorous, but subsists mainly as described.] Its long* 
canine teeth, are, above all, very useful to it in hoisting itself up 
on to the shores, or over the ice which is in its way ; they serve it 
also as points of support, or fulcra , and assist it to advance, by 
drawing itself along on its anterior members. It often mounts 
upon floating icebergs, on which it will drift about for hours 
together. 
The female brings forth in winter one or two young ones, which 
she tends with solicitude and defends with energy. 
Naturally mild and inoffensive, the Morse becomes very bold 
when it is attacked and wounded. Under such circumstances it will 
fight with the utmost fury, and shows its desire for vengeance by 
all its actions. If on land, and consequently incapable of pursuing 
its enemies, its feeling of helplessness makes it utter furious cries ; 
it tears up the soil with its tusks, and attacks everything it meets 
with on its way. But to avoid being injured by it, after it is 
wounded, all that is necessary is for the hunters to keep at a 
respectful distance. In the sea, on the contrary, where it can dis- 
play all its activity, the Morse is rather to be feared ; so much the 
more so on account of the strict union in which it lives with its 
fellows, who never fail to come in great numbers to help any of 
their companions which are threatened with danger. They sur- 
round the boat, and try to sink it by running it through 
with their tusks, or capsize it by bearing with their whole 
weight upon its sides. Sometimes, indeed, they even try to 
board boats, much to the disgust of the sailors, who have no 
idea of keeping such company. If the boats row off, they follow 
them for a long while, and only stop when they are quite out 
j of sight. 
The Morse has to struggle, not only against Man, but also against 
| the Bears which inhabit the same latitudes. Although the White 
: Bears are provided with formidable means of attack, they do not 
S always come out of the combat victorious. The deep wounds which 
| they carry away with them after their battles with the Morse 
sufficiently attest the valour and power of the animals which they 
wished to make their victims. 
Formerly the Morses existed in such great quantities in 
| certain parts of the icy Arctic Ocean, and were at the same time 
; so bold, that they allowed themselves to be approached by bands 
