70 ECONOMICAL USES OF 



soon finds its own level in the casks, and when 

 full these are fastened up. I ought to have 

 mentioned that the skins of full grown wal- 

 ruses are always taken off the animal in two 

 halves, heing divided longitudinally down the 

 hack and the helly ; the skins of calf walruses 

 and seals are always left entire. Walrus hide is 

 a valuahle commodity, and sells for from two to 

 four dollars per half skin, calves only counting 

 for a half; it is principally exported to Russia 

 and Sweden, w^here it is used to manufacture 

 harness and sole leather ; it is also twisted into 

 tiller ropes, and is used for protecting the 

 rigging of ships from chafing. In former 

 times nearly all the rigging of vessels on the 

 north coasts of Norw' ay and Russia used to he 

 composed of walrus skin. 



When there is a superfluity of the article in 

 the market I helieve it is hoiled into glue. It 

 is from an inch to an inch and a haK thick, 

 very pliahle in its green state, hut slightly 

 spongy, so that I should doubt the quality of 

 the leather made from it. 



The seal-skins mostly find their w^ay to 

 Scotland, w^here, I helieve, they are made into 

 what are known in the hosiers' shops as " dog- 

 skin " and " Dundee kid " gloves. Their value 



