Note 142 — Chapter XXXII · FRANZ JOSEF LAND AND ITS EXPLORERS
Reading edition
The price of walrus hides has risen since they have been found to be the best material for burnishing parts of bicycles. The steamer Balaena was, therefore, sent to Franz Josef Land in 1897, and obtained 500 hides, while about 1500 were lost owing to the animals sinking when dead, so that this monstrous slaughter amounted to 2000, not counting the number of young that must also have perished.