817 



MONGOLIAN GOAT. 



Capra hircus. 



German : KosoU. 



It is only of recent years that the Mongolian Goat 

 has been at all widely known or used in trade. The 

 skins of these Goats were first imported about seven or 

 eight years ago, as robes, which fetched £4 to £10 each, 

 but in the last few years the importation of these skins 

 has increased to a very large extent. About 30,000 to 

 80,000 skins are now imported annually via Eussia, and 

 range in price from 5s. 6d. to 13s. They are misnamed 

 Mouflons and Llamas, and are more correctly called 

 Mongolians. By the Germans they are named Kosoll. 

 These skins are always imported in the dressed state, 

 and with the top hair removed. The under- wool thus 

 left is very fine and silky. White, light and dark brown, 

 and drab are the predominant colours. This fur takes 

 a very bright dye, such as blue, salmon colour, beaver, 

 and bronze. These dyes seem to eradicate the un- 

 pleasant smell which is "prevalent in the undyed skins. 

 The pelt is of light weight, and is consequently very 

 suitable for trimming muffs, etc. The Yearling Goat 

 yields the best fur. This fur is used in England, 

 though not so much as formerly, and is now in most 

 favour in the United States. 



