342 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Leather from the ])eliiga is especially suitahle for use as shoelaces 

 on account of its tenacity and durability. That from the Hatteras por- 

 poise was never much used for this purpose, owing to its unfavorable 

 size, causing much loss in cutting. Many shoelaces made of inferior 

 leather are sold as porpoise. The genuine can be easily distinguished 

 by grasping it with the thumb and forefinger of each hand about one- 

 half inch apart and contracting or pushing it together in the direction 

 of its length, when the contracted portion will increase about one-third 

 in width. "The genuineness of the article is positively assured by 

 this simple test, for no other leather has this feature. "« 



The beluga laces sell for about $8 or $1() per gross, while calfskin 

 laces sell for about $1.25 per gross. No beluga laces are made in the 

 United States, nor is the demand for them here of importance; but 

 many are made in Scotland for the English and continental markets. 



LEATHER FROM ALLIGATOR SKINS. 



Occasional attempts to utilize the coriaceous epidermis of alligators 

 in leather manufacture have been made for one hundred years or 

 more, but not with much success until about 1855, when this novel 

 leather became somewhat fashionable and a considerable demand devel- 

 oped. The market, however, was not long continued, and after a few 

 thousand hides had been shipped from the Gulf States the demand ended. 

 During the civil war another raid was made upon these saurians to sup- 

 ply shoe material, and they were again slaughtered in thousands; but 

 with the cessation of hostihties and the restoration of free commerce in 

 shoe materials, the alligators were again left to repose for a period. 



This rest, however, was only temporary, for about 1869 fickle fashion 

 again called for the leather for manufacture into fancy slippers, boots, 

 traveling bags, belts, cardcases, music rolls, etc. An immense demand 

 was soon created for it, resulting in the slaughter of many thousands of 

 the animals every year, giving employment to hundreds of men. The 

 demand soon exceeded the productive capacity of our own country, 

 and large numbers of skins were imported from Mexico and Central 

 America. The consumption of this leather at present is greater than 

 ever before, and owing to the large importations the market price is 

 somewhat less than a few years ago. The output of the tanneries of 

 the United States approximates 280,000 skins annually, worth about 

 $420,000. It is among the most characteristic of all atjuatic leathers — 

 indeed, of all leathers — being curiously checkered in oblong divisions, 

 known as "scales'' or "bosses," separated by intersecting grooves, and 

 varying in size and character from the rough hoin-like scutes on the back 

 to smooth pliable markings on other parts of the bod}', giving the skin 

 that peculiar effect which makes it so popular for leather purposes. 

 • There are several distinct varieties of alligator skins on the markets, 

 the most important being the Floridian, Louisianan, and Mexican; 



a Shoelaces, by R. G Siilomon, 188C, p. 21. 



