370 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



diffeient portions of the same skin. Whole stocks of animals, whether 

 wild or tame, are distino-uished by this characteristic. The relative thick- 

 ness of dilferent parts of the skin will also vary in the different ag-es of the 

 same animal. The immense stock of small animals in this country will 

 doubtless be devoted to this branch of manufacture. Formerly, it was the 

 custom in Fulton county to use the thicker portions of skins not suited for 

 gloves in the manufacture of moccasins. 



The use of gloves is one sign of civilization, and where they are most 

 common, civilization is highesi. There are more gloves used in this coun- 

 try than any other. There is a very prevalent opinion that they are mere 

 articles of fashion, but it might be shown that during the greater part of 

 the year they are of real service to all classes, and particularly to the medi- 

 cal profession, whose sense of touch cannot be too delicate. 



Mr. Nieman, a glove manufacturer, said the skins of the animals which 

 accompany civilization are preferred to those of wild animals; and the more 

 domesticated the animal is, the better the skin. Those of greatest agility, 

 as a general rule, have the toiighest skin. There is a strict law connecting 

 the age of the animal with the texture of the skin. The kid, after he has 

 comnienced eating grass, is not worth one-quarter as much as before for 

 our purpose. This depreciation is instantly detected by dealers in skins. 

 In regard to the prevailing idea that rat skins are used in the manufacture 

 of fine gloves, he would say he had imported some, but could not dispose 

 of them. 



Mr. Nathan C. Ely stated he had read that a large sum of money had 

 been paid to the authorities of Paris for the privilege of catching the rats 

 in the great sewers of that city, and it was understood their skins are used 

 by glove-makers. The finest kind of ladies' gloves is made from the skin 

 of the unborn kid. 



Dr. J. B. Rich remarked that he had, some years ago, visited some of the 

 glove establishments in Paris. He did Hot learn that the rat skin was then 

 used. To make a good glove the wh(de skin used should be equal in tex- 

 ture, and we know that of the rat does not possess this quality. When the 

 skin is larger this evenness is more readily obtained. To make a glove to 

 satisfy the fastidious taste of .a Paris lady requires great skill and labor. 

 Some establishments have such a reputation for making gloves of fashiona- 

 ble shape and color, they seldom supply the demand. The labor used for 

 this work in Paris is vcrj'^ cheap, and he concluded it would be long before 

 we would be able to compete with them in this particular branch of manu- 

 facture. 



Mr. Garvey, the secretary, said the finest gloves he had ever seen were 

 made in Limerick, Ireland. They were so thin and delicate that they were 

 packed in walnut shells. They were always bought up rapidl}^, and he 

 had never seen them in the Dnblin market. The French government has 

 made many experiments in utilizing refuse matter, and among the rest, rat 

 skins; but he did not learn that they had been successful with them. 



Dr. D. D. Parmelee exhibited some beautiful specimens of gloves of dog 

 skin and of India rubber, manufactured in this country. The latter ai e used 

 by chemists and others who wish to protect their hands in the use of cer- 

 tain fluids. Ladies also find them serviceable in performing household 



