UTILIZATION OF THE SKINS OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 339 



coasts. It differs from the Atlantic manatee only slightly in outward 

 appearance, the difference being most noticeable in the shape of the 

 tail, which in the dugong ends in flukes instead of l)eing spoon-shaped. 



The dugong is reported as much less numerous than formerly. It 

 attains a length of about 10 feet and is reddish brown in color, some- 

 what lighter than the porpoise. The hide is so thick and tough that 

 harpoons used b}" the whalers are almost ineffective in its capture. 



The skin of the manatee, as well as of the dugong, is hard and thick, 

 exceeding 1 inch in places, and has comparatively few hairs on the 

 surface. When removed and salted it is of a dark lead color. The 

 number of skins received on the markets of Europe and America is 

 relatively small, probably not exceeding 50 annuall}^ most of which 

 come from Queensland. They are tanned in the same manner as seal 

 skins, but as they are larger and heavier more time is required. 



These skins produce the most characteristic grain of all marine 

 leathers. It is quite unlike that of the seal, walrus, or sea-lion, con- 

 sisting of closely associated and irregular rows of well-defined ridges, 

 and at intervals of about one-half or three-fourths of an inch there 

 are peculiar indentations or pin marks surrounded b}-^ a circular ridge, 

 the locations of the hair follicles. Unlike that of walrus and sea-lion 

 leather, this grain is rarely imitated. Indeed, it is difficult to make a 

 satisfactory imitation. Owing to the small quantity received, there is 

 no regular market for this leather and no standard price. It is used 

 almost wholly for small articles, such as cardcases, belts, and the like. 



PORPOISE LEATHER. 



The most abundant porpoise on the Atlantic coast is the harbor 

 porpoise or puffing pig, which occurs from Nova Scotia to the Gulf 

 of Mexico, ascending the rivers to the limit of the brackish water. 

 This species is not at present an object of fishery at any point on the 

 United States coast, although occasionally it is taken incidental!}' in 

 pound-nets and seines set for food-fish. Owing to the fact that the 

 skins are rarely free from the markings of sharks' teeth, they are not 

 used for leather purposes to any great extent. 



Of much greater economic importance is the Hatteras porpoise or 

 bottle- nosed dolphin, which occurs in great abundance on the coasts 

 of the United States and Europe and at times has been the object of 

 extensive fisheries. This species also has shark markings but the 

 skins are usually in far better condition than those of the harbor 

 porpoise. On the North Carolina and New Jersey coasts profitable 

 fisheries have been maintained for its capture and its utilization for 

 leather, oil, and even for food. 



Porpoise fishing has been prosecuted during the winter season since 

 1810 at several points on the Atlantic coast, and especially along the 

 "Banks" of North Carolina. It was abandoned for several years fol- 

 lowing 1860 and again in 1893, the period of greatest extent being 



