INTRODUCTION. lv 



is held in January. " Landwaare " is offered, the pro- 

 duce of the country, such as Otter, Fox, Fitch, Baum, 

 and Stone Marten skins. 



Irbit Fair. The Irbit Fair takes place in February, 

 at the small Siberian town of that name on the 

 boundary between the two continents. It is visited by 

 many Russian, German, and other fur merchants, or 

 their agents, and is a mart for Eussian furs, such as 

 Squirrel skins and tails, Ermine, Fox, Beaver, Kolinsky, 

 Russian Fitch, etc. Irbit is generally reached by means 

 of sledges. 



Ischim Fair. The small fair of Ischim in Siberia is 

 held in December, when Squirrel skins and tails and 

 Kolinsky are sold. 



Nijni Novgorod Fair. The Nijni Fair is one of the 

 few which have not suffered so much, and is still 

 important with regard to the fur trade, and still more 

 for other merchandise. Nijni is situated in marshy 

 ground. During the fair, which is held in August, the 

 town swells to double its normal size. The chief furs 

 sold here are Persian, Shiraz, and Astrakan Lambs, 

 Squirrel skins and linings, Russian Musk-rat, Ermine, 

 Bear, Mongolian Goat-linings, White Fox, and Wolf. 

 American furs, such as Skunk, Sea-Otter, Land-Otter, 

 Fisher, Silver and Cross Fox, and Musquash are also 

 disposed of at this fair. 



Kiatka Fair. The fair of Kiatka on the borders of 

 China is the depot from which Chinese traders make 

 their purchases of furs. Ermine is one of their favourite 

 articles. 



