30 The Alligator and Its Allies 



on the market. The farther south the skins are 

 secured in Florida the greater the number of ' corn 

 marks,' and those from the vicinity of Key West 

 are almost valueless for this reason. 



"The Louisiana skins differ from those of Florida 

 in the absence of the 'corn marks' above noted, 

 and from both the Florida and Mexican skins in 

 being more pliable and in having the scales more 

 artistically curved and shaped. Consequently 

 they are preferred for such small articles as card- 

 cases and pocketbooks, and usually sell at the 

 highest prices. Skins obtained in Mississippi and 

 Texas are similar to those secured in Louisiana, 

 while those from Georgia and South Carolina are 

 similar to those from Florida, except that the 

 'corn markings' are not so numerous. All the 

 Florida and Louisiana skins show greater uni- 

 formity of coloring, being of a bluish black on the 

 upper surface and a peculiar bluish white on the 

 under side. 



"In addition to an absence of the characteristics 

 above noted the Mexican and Central American 

 skins are distinguished by having from one to four 

 small dots or markings like pin holes near the 

 caudal end of each scale. The length of the Mexi- 

 can skins varies greatly in proportion to the width, 

 sometimes equaling that of the Florida skins. 

 Those from the east coast of Mexico are the best, 

 being lighter in color and with neat and attractively 

 shaped scales. The west coast skins are yellowish 



