UTILIZATION OF THE SKINS OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



323 



The foUowino' shows the quantity offered at those sales during each 

 of the hist thirt}' years: 



The sales of Messrs. C. M. Lampson & Co., London, for March, 

 1901, included 409 sea-otter skins,'* of which 1-15 were large black skins, 

 which sold at prices ranging from £52 to £280 each, or a total of 

 £12,585 for the 145. The next largest class was a total of 118 large 

 dark skins, varying in price from £48 to £125 each, or a total of 

 £7,640. Only 14 brown skins were offered at that sale, of which 13 

 were large and 1 was of medium size. Out of the total of 409 skins, 

 there were 276 large ones, the others consisting of 96 medium, 25 

 small, 1 extra small, and 11 cubs. The average value of the large 

 skins of all classes was £75 66'. 7d. ; of the medium size, £50 8.s'. lOd. ; of 

 the small size, £35 6s. 5d.; of the extra small, £12; and of the cubs, 

 £2 l.y. lOd. Four veiy small cubs sold for 10 shillings each. While 

 it is extremely gratifying that the large skins formed so high a percent- 

 age of the total number, yet it is to be regretted that there were any 

 small skins whatever, and the taking of cubs was wanton destruction 

 of valuable resources. The prices realized in 1901 were practicall}^ 

 the same as in 1900, when 584 sea-otter skins were offered. 



The following summary shows for each grade of skins at Messrs. 

 C. M. Lampson & Co. March, 1901, sale, the number sold, minimum 

 and maximum prices, total selling value, and average selling value: 



DRESSING SEA-OTTER SKINS. 



The sea-otter should be skinned as soon as practicable after killing, 

 and if caught far from the shore or from the vessel it should be laid 

 out smoothh' in the bottom of the boat and covered over with seaweed 



f'A total of 422 were offered, but only 4U'.» wore sold. This comprises the bulk of the sales of sea- 

 otters throughout the world for that year. 



