CLASS MAMMALIA. MAMMALS 



493 



RELATIONS OF 

 MAMMALIA TO MAN 



The relations of mammals to man are so 

 varied and complex that only a very general 

 account can be given here. In the first place, 

 domestic mammals are of almost inestima- 

 ble value to man. They serve as beasts of 

 burden; they are used as food; and their 

 hides are used for clothing. Musk is ob- 

 tained from the glands of certain mammals, 

 ivory from the tusks of elephants and wal- 

 ruses, oil from the fat of whales; ambergris, 



a product of the intestine that is used in the 

 manufacture of perfumes, is also obtained 

 from whales. The largest chunk of ambergris 

 found was a 900-pound mass off the coast 

 of New Zealand. It brought approximately 

 $400,000 to the finder. Some of the more 

 important game mammals of North Amer- 

 ica are the moose, wapiti, deer, bears, moun- 

 tain lions, foxes, wildcats, squirrels, and 

 rabbits. Some of these are exceedingly de- 

 structive; others, like the deer, are of con- 

 siderable value as food. The various states 

 protect many of the game animals during 

 certain seasons of the year, and in some cases 

 for a period of years, to prevent their ex- 

 termination. 



Figure 365. Grizzly bear. One of America's 

 fiercest and most dangerous big game animals. 

 (Courtesy of N.Y. Zoological Society.) 



The majority of the species of fur-bearing 

 animals of North America are carnivores. 

 This group includes the otter, mink, weasel, 

 marten, wolverine, and badger. Most of 

 these animals are now scarce, and furriers 

 are forced to use the skins of other species, 

 such as the skunk, muskrat, raccoon, fox, 

 lynx, black bear, and rabbit. Natural furs 

 now compete with man-made acrylic fibers 

 in coats designed to appear like mink and 

 other furs. The annual production of raw 

 furs in the United States reaches a value of 

 many millions of dollars. The muskrat is 

 the leading fur-producing animal in the 

 United States, and it brings the greatest fi- 



