30 The Alligator and Its Allies 
on the market. The farther south the skins are 
secured in Florida the greater the number of ‘corn 
marks,’ and those from the vicinity of Key West 
are almost valueless for this reason. 
‘““The Louisiana skins differ from those of Florida 
in the absence of the ‘corn marks’ above noted, 
and from both the Florida and Mexican skins in 
being more pliable and in having the scales more 
artistically curved and shaped. Consequently 
they are preferred for such small articles as card- 
cases and pocketbooks, and usually sell at the 
highest prices. Skins obtained in Mississippi and 
Texas are similar to those secured in Louisiana, 
while those from Georgia and South Carolina are 
similar to those from Florida, except that the 
‘corn markings’ are not so numerous. All the 
Florida and Louisiana skins show greater uni- 
formity of coloring, being of a bluish black on the 
upper surface and a peculiar bluish white on the 
under side. 
“In addition to an absence of the characteristics 
above noted the Mexican and Central American 
skins are distinguished by having from one to four 
small dots or markings like pin holes near the 
caudal end of each scale. The length of the Mexi- 
can skins varies greatly in proportion to the width, 
sometimes equaling that of the Florida skins. 
Those from the east coast of Mexico are the best, 
being lighter in color and with neat and attractively 
shaped scales. The west coast skins are yellowish 
