On the Fur Trade, and Fur-bearing Animals. 329 



Fox and seal skins are sent from Greenland to Denmark.* The 

 white fur of the arctic fox and polar bear, is sometimes found in the 

 packs brought to the traders by the most northern tribes of Indians, 

 but are not particularly valuable. The silver-tipped rabbit is pecu- 

 liar to England, and is sent thence to Russia and China. f 



Other furs are employed and valued accordingly to the caprices 

 of fashion, as well in those countries where they are needed for de- 

 fences against the severity of the seasons, as among the inhabitants 

 of milder climates, who being of Tartar or Sclavonian descent, are 

 said to inherit an attachment to furred clothing. Such are the inhabit- 

 ants of Poland, of Southern Russia, of China, of Persia, of Turkey, and 

 all the nations of Gothic origin in the middle and western parts of 

 Europe. Under the burning suns of Syria and Egypt, and the mild 

 climes of Bucharia and Independent Tartary, there is also a con- 

 stant demand, and a great consumption, where there exists no phys- 

 ical necessity. In our own temperate latitudes, beside their use in 

 the arts, they are in request for ornament and warmth during the win- 

 ter, and large quantities are annually consumed for both purposes in 

 the United States. 



From the foregoing statements, it appears that the fur trade must 

 henceforward decline. The advanced state of geographical science 

 shows that no new countries remain to be explored. In North Amer- 

 ica, the animals are slowly decreasing from the persevering efforts and 

 the indiscriminate slaughter practised by the hunters, and by the ap- 

 propriation to the uses of man of those forests and rivers which have 

 afforded them food and protection. They recede with the abori- 

 gines, before the tide of civihzation, but a diminished supply will 

 remain in the mountains, and uncultivated tracts of this and other 

 countries, if the avidity of the hunter can be restrained within proper 

 limitations. With great respect, I am, he. 



New York, November, 1833. 



* Crantz's Greenland. 



t Mr. Aikin states, " lamb skins are imported by England" (for consumption there) 

 " from Russia, and are of the four following varieties, black wavy from Astracan ; 

 black curly from the Ukraine ; gray curly from the Crimea ; gray knotty from 

 Persia." 



Vol. XXV.— No. 2. 42 



