246 FUR FACTS 



CIVET CAT 



Civet cat, or pole cat as it is often called, is at times bought for 

 skunk by the inexperienced. The civet cat is much smaller than 

 the skunk and is not nearly as valuable. 

 It is spotted black and white, and 

 usually graded as ones and twos and ' 

 trash. The number ones are prime 

 pelted and full furred, and the number 



two are blue pelted. It is an important fur and is found in large 

 numbers in the central and northern states and in Texas. They 

 should always be cased and stretched pelt side out. 



RINGTAIL ' 



The ringtail fur is light tan in color and the body is about the same 

 size as the mink. The tail is about as long as the body and has alternate 



rings of black and white fur. 

 The finer skins come from 

 Oregon and Washington, they 

 are also found in Texas and 

 California. They are classified the same as civet, that is, as ones, 

 twos and trash. They should be cased and stretched pelt side out. 



LYKX 



Lynx to be graded number one, must be full furred. The pelts 

 are nearly always prime, therefore, in buying lynx, attention must 

 be paid to the length and quality of the fur and the size. As lynx 

 are nearly always dyed by the manufacturer the color is not import- 

 ant. The finest lynx are 

 thin pelted with a heavy, 

 dense fur. Prime winter 

 caught skins have fur one 

 and a half to two inches in depth that stands straight up. Poor 

 quality skius have flat looking short fur. Lynx should always be 

 cased and stretched fur side out as shown in illustration. 



WILD CAT 



Wild cat are usually poor in fur and their value depends largely 

 on size. House cats are an important article of fur, the black being 

 valued higher than the mottled. They are valued according to 

 size. 



In conclusion, remember that the thickness and quality of the 

 fur should be your first consideration in valuing a pelt and then the 

 other general rules as outlined above will help you to grade correctly. 



