FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 37 



esteem in Europe for walkinp; boots — especially by Alpine 

 travelers. In London a good pair of such boots is worth fifteen 

 to twenty dollars, nor can they be obtained for less. As you 

 are all probably aware, the leather of the white whale was some 

 years ago used by the Canadian government exclusively in the 

 manufacture of mail bags, being indestructible and impervious 

 to water. These qualities render it a most desirable leather for 

 boots. 1 am also under tlie impression that this leather is par- 

 ticularly adapted for belting for machinery and for lace leather. 

 Porpoise leather boot laces are in great favor abroad. I might 

 perhaps enlarge upon what I have said in regard to the special 

 applications of the products of this animal, but am satisfied that 

 they are numerous and may be made of great commercial value. 



Mr. H. J. Rice — It will perhaps not be out of place for me to 

 say that at the present time porpoise leather is used to a large 

 extent in New Brusnwick and along the coast of the British 

 Provinces from the St. Lawrence down, and is highly esteemed. 

 I have been inf(jrmed by Commissioner Stillwell, of Maine, that 

 he uses slioes made of this leather in preference to any others, 

 and I understand that they are quite commonly used in St. 

 Jolins and other cities of the Provinces. 



Mr. Lyman — In regard to the use of porpoise flesh as food, I 

 find that like many other things in this world, it is a matter of 

 taste. One gentleman in Washington has said that he con- 

 sidered smoked porpoise flesh superior to smoked beef, and 

 another said he had eaten mule and consequently could eat 

 porpoise. We all must have noticed, I think, that among civil- 

 ized nations the favorite articles of food are the result of a 

 passing fashion, certain conditions, as of nutrition and a fairly 

 -agreeable taste, being present. I remember tliat at one time 

 about a dozen cusk would supply the whole of the Boston mar- 

 ket, because there were only that number of families that knew 

 it was good to eat. In external appearance the fish is extremely 

 repulsive. At the present day this same fish commands a very 

 large price as a delicacy. Again, in regard to the whiting of 

 this coast, I have known it thrown away by the cartload because 

 it could not be sold in our markets. On the shores of the 



