22O 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY 



but to keep poachers from stealing the foxes; for this purpose watch- 

 men, dogs, burglar alarms, electric lights, electric shocking devices, 

 bear traps, etc., are employed. 



The natural appearance of the interior of a fox pen is shown in Fig. 

 138, with a fox at the entrance of the kennel. According to Jones 

 there were 800 silver foxes in captivity in Canada in 1912. 



PIG. 140. The mink, Putorius vison. 



Canada.) 



(From Jones, Fur Farming in 



Otters, minks and skunks, Figs. 139, 140, 141, though the value of 

 their skins may be stated in cents where that of the silver fox is given 

 in dollars, are all raised profitably under domestication. 



Although not a member of the order Carnivora, attention should 

 here be called to the muskrat, Fiber zibethicus, Fig. 142, perhaps the 

 most important of our fur-bearing animals, certainly if numbers be 

 considered. When properly prepared, the fur of this animal is very 

 fine and is popular under the name of " Hudson Bay Seal." About 

 10,000,000 muskrat pelts are sold annually. The muskrat is generally 

 distributed along the water courses of North America. In the salt 



