46 THE FUR TRADE OF AMERICA 



used for linings, edgings, trimmings, feltings. I confess I can see 

 no reason for even trying to fake lynx. It is an expensive and a 

 beautiful fur, but a very fragile fur. Still when you see lynx ad- 

 vertised cheap under any qualifying name, except pure lynx, such 

 as "Baltic lynx" or "Asiatic lynx," etc., lookout. You are buy- 

 ing rabbit. 



Wolf for fox is a better wearing fur ; but why lie about it ? 



Why not each to its true name ? 



A good kolinsky is really a relative of the sable ; but because 

 kolinsky is naturally orange, it must be dyed, and being dyed can 

 never be durable as an undyed fur, therefore it should never be sold 

 at even an approach to sable prices. As a matter of fact, it is never 

 sold at an approach to sable prices. Then why call it "a Japanese 

 sable" ? Kolinsky price is not helped and sable price is slightly 

 adulterated. 



There is a point about mole. It is subject to tiny bald spots. 

 These are not signs of a bad skin, any more than pores in a piece 

 of good cloisonne, or crackles in Satsuma china. Small bald 

 spots are as common to the mole's skin as warts to the human skin. 

 Too many deteriorate the value but do not affect the durability of 

 the skin. 



Hudson seal — muskrat — and Alaska seal, both being dyed, 

 how tell them apart ? Muskrat is small in size — seal is large. 

 That is the only difference I can give, as dyeing and dressing have 

 perfected both pelts. 



A great many people would scorn to wear a sheep skin, but 

 they will eagerly wear an "Iceland fox," which is nothing more or 

 less than a Chinese sheep skin combed, electrified and bleached, 

 with this difference — the sheep hide is tougher than the fox hide, 

 but the sheep hairs will in a few seasons shed. I can see for the life 

 of me no evil in this fur faked as white fox for use by children. 

 A child will not take care of furs. "The Iceland fox" is cheap and 

 warm and very beautiful round a little child face. China sends out 

 ten million such sheep and goat skins a year. 



