THE STORY OF THE WALRUS 
Thousands of walrus are killed every year in the Pacific ocean, but at the 
present rate hunting them must soon cease as the animal is fast being killed 
off and will probably be extinct in a decade or two. The animal is desired 
because of its valuable oil and tusks, but its flesh and hide are also put to use. 
The walrus is an animal of enormous size. It sometimes measures nearly 
eighteen feet in length, and ten or twelve feet in circumference. In the 
upper jaw there are two long tusks, which bend downward. The head is 
small, the neck short, and body round. The eyes are very small, and instead 
of external ears there are only two small circular orifices. 
The figure of the walrus is more noticeable for strength than grace, 
though in its outline there is a something suggestive of a bulky horse—and 
hence our seamen sometimes call it the seahorse. Like the. whale family, 
its body is wrapped round with a layer of oily fat; while its skin, an inch thick, 
is covered with close hair. 
In localities where they have long been the object of man’s pursuit they 
have grown vengeful and wary; in less frequented regions they lie on the 
ice in unsuspecting security, and do not suffer the approach of the hunters 
to disturb them. They do not willingly attack man; but when forced to 
fight, conduct themselves with wonderful coolness and courage—dash in 
serried array against the boats, and with their massive tusks endeavor to 
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