INTRODUCTION. xliii 



EussiAN Seal Skin Company. 



The Eussian Seal Skin Company was established in 

 St. Petersburg in 1891. The Director and chief promoter 

 is Mr. Grlinevald. This Company has the exclusive 

 right of taking Fur Seal, Sea-Otter, and Fox skins in 

 Copper Island (Komandorski) and Eobben Island 

 (Tulenji), both of which are situated in the Behring 

 Sea, and are leased from the Eussian Government. 



Harmony Company. 



The Harmony Company, although not so important 

 as the Hudson's Bay and the i^laska Companies, carries 

 on a steady and successful business along the coast of 

 Labrador. The transactions of this Company do not 

 exclusively belong to the fur trade, but are of a general 

 character. Hair Seal, Eeindeer skins, and oil forming 

 important branches of their trade. This Company was 

 formed by, and still consists of, the Moravian Mission- 

 aries, who settled on the dreary coast of Labrador. The 

 business is conducted by the Moravian Church Mission. 



Every skin is marked in red on the pelt side to denote 

 the district where it is taken. The following are the 

 chief stations along the coast with their respective 

 marks : — • 



The furs from Labrador are about the finest in 

 America, or perhaps in the world. The Fox-skins 



