34 VALUE OF MAMMALS TO MAN 



the skunk has a beautiful fur and is bred for the purpose ; 

 but as it would not sell under that name it is called by 

 some other title. Rabbit skins are sold by tens of thou- 

 sands, also those of goats, cat, dog, and rat — in fact, there 

 is hardly an animal that can be mentioned that is not of 

 value. Over a milHon catskins are sold yearly in America, 

 dyed and made into cheap furs. Rat skins are used in the 

 manufacture of gloves. Mole skins, which are very beau- 

 tiful, are used for the finest furs, while monkey skins also 

 have a value. The rug business alone in lion, tiger, cat, 

 ocelot, and other skins represents several million dollars 

 in America, and the government derives a large revenue 

 from those imported, while we send elk horns and others 

 to Europe. The best-known skin a few years ago was that 

 of the bison, and almost every farmer and owner of a horse 

 had a "buffalo robe." In the early days these could be 

 bought for a few dollars, but to-day they are preserved by 

 those who have them as legacies to hand down, and are 

 very valuable. 



A curious business was seen on the plains after the 

 destruction of the bison, in the collection of its bones. 

 Hundreds of tons of these skeletons were collected, piled 

 up in enormous heaps at stations, and hauled away by the 

 train load to be ground up as a fertilizer. Thus the bones 

 of the splendid bison were used to lend vigor to roses and 

 other flowers, and so turned into gold. 



In former years there were few if any restrictions on 

 game or its taking off, but now the various state govern- 

 ments realize the value of game to them and they are care- 

 fully protected and placed under certain Hmitations. The 

 State of Maine affords an excellent illustration of the 



