File:The illustrated natural history (microform) (1863) (20613888906).jpg

Title: The illustrated natural history (microform)
Identifier: cihm_50037 (find matches)
Year: 1863 (1860s)
Authors: Wood, J. G. (John George), 1827-1889
Subjects: Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles
Publisher: London : Routledge, Warne, and Routledge
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Digitizing Sponsor: University of Alberta Libraries

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f â * < ,5- THK SKA ELEPHANT. In order to ))ivvt'iit tiic wliolc licnl IVcnii uiakiny a siiimltaiicous diarge at tlieiv invaders, the Ininter.s endeavonr to ilispeise tlieni by means of dogs trained to the )iisiness, and so to secure tlie animals as they fly atlVigiited in various directions. One sneh chase is technically termed a " cut," and if rightly conducted is so succes,st'nl that at a single "cut" no less tlian iil'tcen hundred of these huge Seals have been taken. These chases take jdace at nighl. The movement.s of tin; Walrus when on land are of a very clumsy character, as might be supposed from the huge, unwii^ldy body of the animal, and the evident insulHciency of the limbs lo urge the weighty body forward with any sju'cd. When this creature is hurried or alarmed, it contrives to get over the ground at a pace that, although not very rapid, is yet wonderfully so when the size of the. animal is taken into account. The movement is a mixture of Jerks and leaps, and the Walrus is further aided in its progress by the tusks. Should it be attacked, and its retreat cut oil', the Walrus advances tiorcely upon its eiu'my, striking from side to side with its long tusks, aiul endeavouring to force a passage into the sea. If it should be successful in its attempt, it hurries to the Avater's edge, lowers its head, and rolls unceremoniously into the sea, where it is in comparative safety. The Walrus is jiossesscd of the same docile and atl'ectionate disposition as the other f'eals, and has iieen more than once ell'ectually tamed. One of these animals which wa,s captiu'cd while young at Nova Zembla, and brought to England, was remarkably gentle in its demeanour, aiul learned many accouqilishments from its owner. It had been so well instructed, that if taken in a boat, it W(nUd leaj) overboard at the word of comniaiid, chase and catch fish, and return to the boat bearing the tish in its mouth. The number of young which the Walrus produces at a litter is seldom if ever more than one, and when newly born, the little animal is about the size of a yearling pi^'. Winter is the usual time of year for the appearance of the young, and the mother ahvnys repairs to the shoi'c or to the ice-fields lor the puriiose of nourishing her family. The maternal "Walrus is very attentive to her charge, and while in the water is very solicitous about its welfave, carrying it about under her fore-limbs, and defending it from any danger of lu'i' own sali'ty in watching oscr that of her oil's))ring. When a mother Walrus i. surprised upon the shore, she ))laces her young one ujion her back, and hurries away tc llic sea, bearing her precious burden. This animal attains tv a very great size, so great, indeed, that its dimensions can hardly be appreciated except by ocular demonslration. A full-grown male Walru.s is generally from twelve to Iil'tcen feel in length, while tlieie are many s()ecimens that "lave bct'U known to attain a still greater size. The skin is black and smooth, and is sparingly covered with brown hairs, which become more numerous on the feet. The eye is very snndl in proportion to the size of tlii' aninnil, ajid after deatli sinks so completely into its socket that it cannot lie seen exce)»t by an exjierienced observer. By pressure upon each side of the orbit, the eye sudch'nly starts forward, and becomes visible. The Walrus luis once or twice lu'en seen olV the I'.ritish coasts, but is so very rare a visitant that any .smdi occurrences can only be considered as exce))tional to the general rule. The term Walrus literally signifies " whale horse," and the specilic name, Eosnuuus, is a Latinized form of the \<irwcgian word liosmar, (U- "sea horse." The W(U'd Mori^e is slightly altt'red from the Russian )\lorss, or the Lapponic Morsk. AnothkI! powerful and grotes(jue Seal now engages our atleiUion. This is the EM'U'HANT Skai,, or Sk.v Ei.kI'HANT, so called not only on airount of the strange lU'olongation of the nose, which bears some analogy to the jtroboscis of the eleithant, tait also on account of its ele))haritine size. Large s)iecimens of this monstrous Seal measure as nnich as thirty feet in length, and Iil'tcen or eighteen feet in circumference at the largest part of their bodies. The colour of the Sim Elephant is rather variable, even in individuals of the same sex and age, but is gctun'ally as follows. The fur of the male is usually of a bluish-grey, whicli sometimes deepens into dark brown, while that of the fennde is darker, and variegated witli sundry dapplings of a ytdlow hue. This animal is an inhabitant of tlu' \

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