32 The Alligator and Its Allies 



The entire skin is more commonly taken in Mexico 

 and Central America than in our States. 



"Although the raw skins are sold according to 

 length, the tanned hides are sold by the width of 

 the leather at the widest part. Standard hides 

 sell for $1.00 to $1.65 per twelve inches of width. 

 Some skins tanned and dyed in a superior manner 

 sell for $2.00 or more for single skins of 2^ feet 

 in length. As a rule the Louisiana skins fetch the 

 highest prices, and those from Florida the lowest. 

 Imitation alligator leather is now prepared in large 

 quantities, principally from sheepskins or the 

 buffing from cowhides. These are tanned accord- 

 ing to the usual process, and before the skins are 

 finished they are embossed with the characteristic 

 alligator markings by passing them between two 

 rollers.' (Above-mentioned report, p. 346.) 



Very little of the leather is now used in mak- 

 ing shoes, the chief demand being for handbags, 

 music-rolls, etc. 



In hunting alligators for their hides two methods 

 are usually employed, in our Southern States at 

 least. The common method is "fire-hunting" 

 at night; the hunters here go, either singly or in 

 pairs, usually in boats, sometimes on foot, with 

 shotgun and torch. The torch may be fastened 

 to the hunter's hat, after the manner of the miner's 

 lamp. One more progressive hunter that I knew 

 had, as a torch, an acetylene lamp, attached to his 

 hat, with the tube for the gas extending down his 



