SECTION III. SEALSKINS 



A SPECIAL, class of morocco leather is manufactured from 

 the skins of seals. This should not be confused with the 

 " sealskin " of popular parlance, which is manufactured 

 from the skin of a different animal. All the fin-footed 

 mammals (Pinnipedia), except the walrus, are termed seals, 

 but they are divided into two families. The Otariidce are 

 known by their possession of small but distinct external 

 ears : into this class fall the fur-seals whose skin is dressed 

 with the fur on, for women's jackets, muffs and caps. The 

 Phocidce are that family without external ears : the skins 

 of many species (Phoce Greenlandica, Phoco barbata, etc.) of 

 this family are unhaired and given a vegetable tannage, 

 thus forming the raw material of sealskin morocco leather. 

 It is with the latter that this section will deal. 



As the seal is a marine animal and is partial to the 

 colder seas, its skin is very oily. The skins are imported 

 in a salted condition from both the Arctic and Antarctic 

 regions, North Europe, North America and Newfoundland 

 supply many skins, and the southern material is supplied 

 chiefly through the Cape. Sealskin shares with goatskin 

 the properties of compact texture, strength of fibre, and 

 great durability, all of which fit it for the manufacture of 

 moroccos for upholstery, bookbinding, etc. It is, however, 

 readily distinguishable from goatskin by its characteristic 

 grain pattern. 



In soaking sealskins the object is not only to soften 

 thoroughly, but also to effect the recovery of as much seal 

 oil as possible before the liming commences. This is 

 desired because the oil is in itself a valuable bye-product, 

 and because its removal is essential to a satisfactory liming 

 and tannage. The removal of the oil is materially assisted 



