xliv INTRODUCTION. 



cannot be equalled in richness and quality. The annual 

 collection of furs usually arrives in October, and are 

 sold in the succeeding January or March. The Hair 

 Seals are, however, usually sold in November. 



EoYAL Greenland Ptje-trading Company. 



The Greenland Company has its chief establishment 

 in Copenhagen, where it holds public sales twice a year, 

 in February and the end of November or beginning of 

 December. Its chief exportation consists of Fox-skins 

 (blue and white), Polar Bear, and dry Hair Seal-skins, 

 and Eider-down. 



The Hair Seals and Eider-down are sold in November, 

 and the Blue and White Fox and Bears in February. 



The Polar Bears are of finer quality and condition 

 than in any other part of the world, and realize high 

 prices : — 



In 1886, 14,850 Hair Seals were sold. 

 In 1887, 10,200 

 In 1888, 11,700 



American Fur Company. 



The American Fur Company was established in 1809 

 by John Jacob Astor, an enterprising German, who had 

 previously been engaged for many years as a fur-trader, 

 and who attempted at great expense to establish a port 

 on the coast of Oregon. The principal establishment 

 was at Micliilimackniac. This Company possessed a 

 square fort (300 feet) at the mouth of the Yellowstone 

 Eiver, where they conducted a profitable business with 

 the neighbouring Indians. 



