ITTILIZATION OF THK SKINS OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 293 



closet, which is hcatod by steam pipes or a charcoal tire. A number 

 of skins, with a quantity of tine, dry, hard-wood sawdust, are placed in 

 each drum. The latter is revolved steadily, makini;- about 20 revolu- 

 tions per minute, and witliin three or four hours the dry sawdust 

 absorbs the grease, leaving;- the fur clean and soft )>ut tilled with saw- 

 dust. 



The beating drum, also sometimes inclosed in a closet, has wooden 

 ends, and the side or circumference of wire gauze, with meshes about 

 one-fourth inch square. Along the interior circumference are wire- 

 gauze shelves about 10 inches wide, which catch the pelts at the bottom 

 of the revolving drum and carry them nearl}' to the top, when they 

 slide oti" and fall against the wire gauze covering the circumference of 

 the drum. In this manner the pelts are cleaned of ever}^ particle of 

 sawdust. Many of the larger pelts are l)eaten with rattans for the 

 same purpose. 



After removing the sawdust and straightening the fur with a steel 

 comb, the dressing process is at an end. This general process w^ould 

 suffice fairly well for all varieties of aquatic furs, but it is modified to 

 suit the characteristics of the different sorts. The special "methods 

 applicable to each variety are described at length in appropriate 

 chapters. 



Except in case of very cheap skins, the expense of dressing furs rep- 

 resents onl}^ a small percentage of their value. The following tabular 

 statement shows the average charges that prevail in New York City for 

 dressing skins in quantities for the trade: 



Statement of average cJuu-ges prevailing in Xew York CUij for dressing aquatic furs. 



(' Dressing, plucking, and dyeing, f5. 



With the exception of the fur-seal, the choicest furs of any particu- 

 lar species are rarely dyed. Indeed, their degree of excellence is 

 determined by the nearness of their approach in the natural color to 

 the most desirable shade for that species. So important is this that a 

 skin of the proper tint may be worth three or four times as much as 

 one whose texture is equally fine but lacking just the right shade. For 

 instance, the present average value of prime dark sea-otter skins is 

 about $600 each, whereas the average price of prime brown skins is only 

 $200. In case of mink, otter, and other choice species the difference is 

 as great in proportion. 



