688 COLLEGE ZOOLOGY 



h. The Economic Importance of Mammals 



The relations of mammals to man are so varied and complex 

 that only a very general account can be given here. In the first 

 place, domestic mammals areof almost inestimable value to man. 

 Cattle constitute the most important animal industry in this 

 country. Next in importance to cattle are horses. Sheep are 

 utilized extensively for meat and wool. In some countries goats 

 are used as draft animals and furnish milk and meat. In the 

 tropical countries of the Old World, especially in desert regions, 

 the camel is the most important draft animal ; its hair is valuable 

 in the manufacture of fabrics and brushes. In parts of South 

 America the llama and guanaco furnish the chief means of trans- 

 portation. The elephant is in Asia used as a draft animal, for 

 hunting, and for various other purposes; in Africa it is hunted 

 for the ivory in its tusks. 



The game animals are those that are pursued and taken by 

 sportsmen. Some of the more important game mammals of 

 North America are the moose, wapiti, deer, bears, mountain lions, 

 foxes, wolves, coyotes, wildcats, and rabbits. Some of these are 

 exceedingly destructive, and certain states pay a bounty for their 

 capture; others, like the deer, are of considerable value as food, 

 though they may be injurious to farms in thickly populated 

 districts. The various states protect many of the game animals 

 during certain seasons of the year and in some cases for a period 

 of years, so as to prevent their extermination. 



The majority of the fur-bearing animals of North America 

 belong to the family Mustelid.e of the order Carnivora. This 

 family includes the otter, mink, weasel, marten, wolverine, and 

 badger. Most of these animals are now scarce, and furriers are 

 forced to use the skins of other species, such as the skunk, 

 muskrat, raccoon, fox, lynx, black bear, and rabbit. The skins 

 of some mammals command almost fabulous prices; for example, 

 the pure black skins of the fox range from $500 to $2000 each. 



The Rodentia, or gnawing mammals, are on the whole in- 



