PRELIMINARIES. 15 



the body of the animal directly, are almost harmless compared 

 with those that strike it obliquely, or graze across it. Every 

 one of these grazing shot, however small, cuts a furrow in the 

 fur, sometimes several inches in length, shaving every hair in 

 its course as with a razor. Slits in the skin have to be cut out 

 to the full extent of these furrows, and closed up or new pieces 

 fitted in. Hence when the hunter brings his stock of skins 

 to the experienced furrier, he is generally saluted with the 

 question, "Are your furs shot, or trapped?" and if he has 

 to answer, " They were shot," he finds the dealer quite indif- 

 ferent about buying them at any price. The introduction of 

 good steel-traps into Russia would probably add millions of 

 dollars annually to the value of the furs taken in that vast 

 territory. 



STEEL-TRAPS. 



The experience of modern trappers, after trying all other 

 methods, and all kinds of new-fashioned traps, has led them 

 almost unanimously to the conclusion, that the old steel-trap, 

 when scientifically and faithfully made, is the surest and most 

 economical means of capturing fur-bearing animals. Some 

 of the reasons for this conclusion are these: Steel-traps can 

 be easily transported ; can be set in all situations on land or 

 under water ; can be easily concealed ; can be tended in great 

 numbers ; can be combined by means of chain and ring with 

 a variety of contrivances (hereafter to be described) for se- 

 curing the animal caught from destruction by other animals, 

 and from escape by self-amputation ; and above all, the steel- 

 trap does no iiijury to the fur. 



And here I think it my duty as a true friend to the trapper, 

 to give him the benefit of my experience and study in regard 

 to the form and qualities of a good steel-trap, that he may be 

 able to judge and choose the weapons of his warfare intelli- 

 gently. 



REQUISITES OF A GOOD TRAP. 



The various sizes of traps adapted to different kinds of 

 animals, of course requii*e different forms and qualities, which 

 will be spoken of in tlie j)roper places hereafter. But several 

 of the essentials are the same in all good traps. 



