384 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



the white parts of the fur were longer than the unchanged portion, and 

 that the ends of the fur only were white so far as they exceeded in length the 

 dark colored fur. By removing these white tips with a pair of scissors, 

 the original dark summer (h-ess appeared. 



The fur of the ermine ranks iirst in value; and the older animals furnish 

 the best. Tliese little animals are caught either in snares and traps or by 

 sliooting with blunt arrows. Tlie skins are sold in lots ol' 40, called tlie 

 timber. 



Next in value are Rusisian sables. The length of the animal is from 18 

 to 20 inches. The darkest in color are considered the most valuable. The 

 produce of Russia in these skins is about 25,000 annually. 



A great quantity of mink skins are sold to the inexperienced as real 

 Eussian sable. 



There is also an inferior sable called Kolinski or Tartar sable, procured 

 from Russia. This fur, when lly-ed, is sold among the cheaper sables. 



Next to the sable in rarity and cost comes the fur of the silver fox, which 

 is a native of the country behnv the falls of the Columbia river in Wash- 

 ington and Oregon, Territories. 



The softest and most delicate fur is that of a little animal called the 

 chinchilla, about the size of a small squirrel, which inhabits Peru and the 

 northern parts of Chili. 



The sea otter has a very fine, close, soft fur; jet black in wint%j', with a 

 silken gloss. That of the young animal is a beautiful brown. 



The Persian lamb-skins have a soft, compact and elastic wool, which is 

 formed naturally into elegant curls or waves. When killed immediately 

 after birth, or taken from the mother, they are still more beautiful and 

 expensive. These skins have been considerabl}' used in Europe, but not 

 yet in this country. A few have been very recently imported. The most 

 pi;ized of these skins are the fine black. 



The sloth has a beautiful fur of a high luster. 



Mr. Lasak, of this city, an elderly and intelligent merchant in furs, in- 

 forms us that the Germans excel all others in dressing and manufacturing 

 furs, in a general regard. But furs, he adds, are put u)) in New York which 

 are not excelled by any in Europe. 



The Chinese possess arts connected with the dyeing of furs, as well as in 

 the preparation of skins, which would command a large price if they could 

 be transferred to European or American artizans. 



The dyeing of furs may be considered the most difficult part of their pre- 

 paration. It requires the most careful and skillful manipulation. Mr. Ap- 

 hold, of London, England, has gained much repute for his skill in dyeing 

 brown, which is a difficult shade to attain. 



Otter fur has been dyed in New York better than in Europe. 



Muskrat is dyed to imitate mink ; also to imitate the German fitches. 

 Opossum is likewise thus dyed. 



Sable fur is frequently dyed to improve its shade. 



The fur of the grey fox and of the wolf are difficult to dye. 



An objection to the fur of the Norwegian and Lapland dog is a peculiar 

 odor that always attends it. 



The skins of hares and rabbits are used iu common with beaver and 



