. The popular natural history . Zoology. WALRUS, OR MORSE.—[Trichecus Sosmarus.) that has yet been examined, the structure seems to be of hardly sufficient importance for the estabhshment of a separate species. The ivory which is furnished by these extraordinary weapons is of very fine quality, and com- mands a high price in the market. A Walrus is a valuable animal, for even in this country its skin, teeth, and oil are in much request, while among the Esquimaux its body furnishes them with almost every article in common use. Among civilized men, the skin of the Walrus is employed for har- nes
. The popular natural history . Zoology. WALRUS, OR MORSE.—[Trichecus Sosmarus.) that has yet been examined, the structure seems to be of hardly sufficient importance for the estabhshment of a separate species. The ivory which is furnished by these extraordinary weapons is of very fine quality, and com- mands a high price in the market. A Walrus is a valuable animal, for even in this country its skin, teeth, and oil are in much request, while among the Esquimaux its body furnishes them with almost every article in common use. Among civilized men, the skin of the Walrus is employed for har- ness and other similar purposes where a thick and tough hide is required. The tooth furnishes very good ivory, of a beautiful texture, and possessing the advantage of retaining the white hue longer than ivory which is made from the elephant tusk. The oil is delicate, but there is very little to be ob- tained from each Walrus, the layer of fatty matter being scarcely more than a hand's-breadth in thickness. Among the Esquimaux the Walrus is put to a variety of uses. Fish- hooks are made from its tusks, the intestines are twisted into nets, its oil and flesh are eaten, and its bones and skin are also turned to account by these rude but ingenious workmen. The Walrus is found in vast herds, which frequent the coasts of the arctic and antarctic regions, and which congregate in such numbers that their united roarings have often given timely warning to fog-bewildered sailors, and acquainted them with the near proximity of shore. These herds present a curious sight, as the huge clumsy animals are ever in movement, rolling and tumbling over each other in a strange fashion, and constantly uttering their hoarse bellowings. The movements of the Walrus when on land are of a very clumsy character, as might be supposed from the huge, unwieldy body of the animal, and the evident insufficiency of the limbs to urge the weighty body forward with any speed. When this creature is hurried or alarmed,
Size: 1623px × 1539px
Photo credit: © Central Historic Books / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
