MINK. 119 



with in the Eastern States of the American Eepublic. 

 In the Central States, and on the Lakes, good medium 

 dark Minx abound ; and in Columbia and the Western 

 States, large, coarse-haired animals. In the Southern 

 States, such as Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, 

 Minx are lighter in colour, coarser in the fur, and 

 thicker in the pelt. 



The tail of the South-western States animal is fuller 

 and thicker than that of the Northern. The Kolinsky 

 supplies us with a similar instance. 



The immense province of Labrador produces only 

 some fifty skins per annum. The fur, as in most other 

 amphibious animals, is short ; it is the very best for 

 wear, lasting for many years, and sometimes for a 

 generation or so. At one time it was much sought 

 after, 30s. being paid for a single skin, but now it is 

 generally considered to be a moderately-priced fur. 

 However, we should never have supposed that the skins 

 would be burnt in the Hudson's Bay Territory, as re- 

 lated by Dr. Eichardson, to avoid the expense of 

 carriage. He probably refers to some other animal. 



In 1890, 362,675 Mink skins, imported from the 

 United States and Canada, were sold in London; in 

 1891, 173,789 skins, besides 29,263 imported by the 

 Hudson's Bay Company, were brought under the 

 hammer, at prices ranging from 5d. to 21s. 6d. 



These skins are usually manufactured into muffs, 

 etc., both in the natural state and dyed and pulled to 

 imitate Seal. They are also used for coat-linings, and 

 the tails are made into capes, etc. 



The pelt of the Mink is thick and heavy, hke that of 

 most aquatic animals. The skin of this animal was 

 often adopted by the North American Indians as their 

 " totem" or crest. 



