350 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 

 WATER-SNAKE SKINS. 



The hide tibor of water snakes is scarcely distino-uisha))le from that 

 of alligator, being close and compact. While its thinness and conse- 

 quent lack of durabilit}^ render it unsuitable for many purposes, the 

 curious markings and the novelty make it desirable as covering for 

 cardcases and other small articles. For this purpose the skins should 

 be treated in such a manner as to retain their original coloring and 

 appearance as much as possible. The market for these skins is so 

 small that the tanning of them does not amount to an industr}^ at any 

 place, although probably more are prepared in France than in all other 

 countries combined. The quantity prepared in the United States prob- 

 ably does not exceed 100 skins a year on an average. 



In preparing these skins bark tanning is not often used, and most 

 of the methods are secret, being the result of individual experiments. 

 Mr. A. M. Villon gives the following process in use in some establish- 

 ments in France where these skins are prepared. The skins are soaked 

 for a long time in water containing sulphate of zinc to prevent putre- 

 faction. This requires at least ten days. They are fleshed, scraped, 

 washed by hand, and placed in a bath made of water, 1,000 parts; 

 borax, 10; boracic acid, 100; tartaric acid, 25; precipitated alumina, 

 as much as liquid will dissolve. They are left in this for a day, then 

 transferred to bath No. 2, containing water, 1,000 parts; phosphate of 

 zinc, 25; benzoate of aluminum, 25; glycerine, 50; alcohol, 20. 



They are left for a day in this solution, then placed in the first bath 

 for a day, then back in the second bath for another day, this being 

 continued for five or six days, when the tanning is usually completed, 

 and the skins are dried, lightly staked, and finished ofl'. 



SKINS OF GAR-FISH OR ARMORED FISH. 



Among the ver}" ornamental fish «kins seen in jewelry and novelty 

 stores, and used for covering picture frames, cases and boxes of vari- 

 ous sorts, is that of the gar-fish or armored fish. The skin of this fish 

 is covered with slightly imbricated and firnily attached layers of rhom- 

 boid horny cuticle. It is very hard and may be polished smooth and 

 even, retaining an ivory-like finish. The rows of scale-like cuticle 

 readily separate from the mass, but the rhomboid sections in each row 

 remain firmly attached to each other. In using the skin as many rows 

 of the sections as may be necessary are broken off, and these are bent 

 and shaped as may be required, and firmly glued to the bod}' of the 

 frame or box. When the whole has been applied and thoroughly 

 dried it is polished as desired. These skins are obtained mainly from 

 Louisiana; only a few score are used annually. 



In })reparing gar-fish skins for tanning they are first soaked in luke- 

 warm water for from two to four days and cleaned of surplus flesh. 

 In some establishments skins of this kind are not limed, owing to 



