FOREIGN FISHERY-TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES. 



549 



XVI.— MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. 



In addition to the aforementioned articles, there are several fishery 

 products that enter into our trade with foreign countries in small quan- 

 tities. Among" these are ambergris, ambergris oil, coral, fish skins, seal 

 skins, seaweeds, etc. It remains to give a brief account of the extent 

 of the trade in these articles. 



Ambergris and ambergris oil. — The quantity of ambergris and amber- 

 gris oil placed on the world's markets annually is very small, rarely 

 exceeding 1,000 pounds. It is obtained principally by whale fisher- 

 men, and probably 20 per cent is secured by American vessels. Only 

 a small quantity is used in this country, most of the domestic production 

 being sent to Europe. Each year, however, a small quantity specially 

 prepared is imported for use in the preparation of choice perfumery and 

 other purposes. The following table shows the imports for consumption 

 of these products from 1809 to 1894, inclusive: 



80. Statement of the imports for consumption of ambergris and ambergris oil into the 

 United States from 1869 to 1894, inclusive. 



Coral. — Coral is obtained principally from the waters of the Mediter- 

 ranean Sea and by Italian fishermen. The most extensive markets are 

 Genoa, Leghorn, and Naples. No commercial coral is produced in the 

 United States. Twenty-five years ago this article was in great demand 

 for ornamental purposes, but at present it is not so highly esteemed in 

 America. 



