INTRODUCTION. xlvii 



being unrivalled, combined with cheap labour. The 

 Musli-rat is also well dressed. The drawback to the 

 German method is that in large skins the pelt is left 

 somewhat thick. 



The English specialities are Chinchilla, Marten, and 

 Sable, in which they are unequalled. Skunk, Musk-rat, 

 Fox, and most skins are also dressed well. In the 

 English method, the skins are first placed in a \je of 

 alkali; when the pelt has become soft, the skins are 

 tubbed, and then shaved by passing them over a large 

 knife, placed in an upright position ; they are next 

 buttered, and put in a large tub of sawdust by men half 

 naked, who tread on them for some time, the heat of 

 their bodies rendering the leather soft and supple ; they 

 are then beaten out and finished. The drawback to 

 English dressing is that in cold climates the moisture in 

 the skin freezes, and the skin becomes hard. 



This latter defect is never found in the Russian 

 preparation, which, however, leaves an unpleasant smell 

 in the skins, somewhat difficult to eradicate. 



The Chinese method is somewdiat similar to the 

 Russian. There is often a very unpleasant powder left 

 in the skins, as in Goat-rugs. Sea-Otters and Tigers 

 are wonderfully well dressed by the " Celestials." 



Dyeing. 



The dj^eing of fur skins is a very ancient art ; it dates 

 from the time of the Israelites, when dyed Ram-skins 

 were used as a covering for the tabernacle. 



There are fourteen firms of fur dyers in London. 



According to Dr. Richardson, the occui^ation of a fur 

 dyer is one of the most unhealthy. 



