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ARCTIC WALRUS. 
bodies. They are also weapons of defence against 
the white bear, the sword-fish, and sharks. 
The arctic walrus is inelegant in its form, hav- 
ing a small head, short neck, thick body, and 
short legs. The lips are very thick, and the up- 
per one is cleft into two large rounded lobes, on 
which there are several thick and semi-transpa- 
rent bristles. The eyes are very small ; and in- 
stead of external ears there are only two small 
circular orifices. The skin is thick, and scattered 
over with short brownish hair. On each foot 
there are five toes connected by webs, and the 
hind feet are considerably broader than the others. 
The tail is extremely short. 
They are harmless animals, unless when attack- 
ed or provoked, in which case they become furi- 
ous, and exceedingly vindictive. When surprised 
on the ice, the females first provide for the safe- 
ty of their young, by flinging them into the sea, 
and conveying them to a secure distance ; they 
then return to the place with great rage, to re- 
venge any injury they have received. They will 
sometimes attempt to fasten their teeth on the 
boats, in order to sink them, or will rise under 
them in great numbers, with the intention of 
oversetting them, at the same time exhibiting all 
the marks of rage, roaring in a dreadful manner, 
and gnashing their teeth with great violence. 
They are strongly attached to each other, and will 
make eyerv effort in their power, even to death, 
to set at liberty their harpooned companions. A 
wounded walrus has been known to sink to the 
bottom, rise suddenly again, and bring up with 
it multitudes of others, who have united in an 
attack on the boat from whence the insult 
came. 
These animals always visit the Magdalene is- 
lands- early in the spring. These seem particularly 
