KOLINSKY. 115 



The skins from Yakutsk are large and strong, with 

 coarse fur, but large and full tails, which are well 

 adapted for brush-making. The Irschimsky and Tomsky 

 are also well-known sorts. 



The Amoor district produces skins of a worse quality, 

 but the wooden skewers that are put through the tails 

 reduce their value. 



Civell is probably the ancient name of this fur. 



The Kolinsky is also met with in Japan and China. 

 The fur is very short and harsh, resembling that of a 

 Mink ; the tail has generally very short hair like a low- 

 quality Mink. It is, however, used for brushes, but on 

 account of its inferior quality is only worth 5d. to 8d. 



About 15,000 skins are imported from Japan and 

 China. 



JAPANESE MAETEN. 



Mustela melanopus. 



This animal bears a certain resemblance to the 

 American Marten, but has a closer affinity to the 

 Kolinsky. It is of a beautiful light yellow colour, 

 resembling the Kolinsky, but rather more yellow ; the 

 tail is fuller, the fur softer, longer, and thicker than the 

 latter's ; the under fur is almost white ; the cheeks are 

 white, and the ears short. The length is about 18 

 inches, slightly exceeding that of the Kolinsky. The fur 

 is not in great request, and is only worth about Is. to 

 Is. 8d., but 2s. 6d. was paid a few years ago. About 

 two to five thousand skins are annually sold in London. 

 These were recently imported in the dressed state by 

 Chinese, Japanese, and other merchants, but are now 

 more often sent raw. 



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