154 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



short, brownish, ash-colored fur, of considerable value, which has been 

 largely exported to Europe for making hats. It has also been much 

 used here for hats, gentlemen's sets, and other purposes. The fur 

 somewhat resembles that of the beaver, as well as the otter. It is 

 estimated that 3,000,000 are caught annually. 



The muskrat, or musquash, is a native of North America, much 

 smaller than the beaver, but with habits and appearance somewhat 

 similar. Muskrats feed upon mussels, aquatic plants, and roots of 

 grasses, and build winter-huts of sticks, grass, and mud, with an en- 

 trance under water, leading to a dry apartment above. In summer 

 they dwell in extensive burrows along the banks of the rivers. The 

 trapper, walking on the bank, hears the muskrat run from his hole into 

 the water, observes where he stirs the mud, and puts the trap quietly 

 down there. The number of skins taken yearly by trap and gun is 

 immense ; over 3,000,000. Many are manufactured into hats on both 

 sides of the Atlantic, more than a million being exported annually to 

 England for that purpose. Besides hats, they are used here largely for 

 men's gloves, ladies' sets, robes, etc. They are frequently dyed to imi- 

 tate mink, and are then called Alaska mink. They are also plucked 

 and dyed to imitate seal and similar furs. 



F:g. 15. 



Wolf. (Tenney.) 



The chinchilla is scarcely larger than a rat, and inhabits the cold 

 mountain-regions of Chili and Peru. It is chiefly remarkable for its 

 exquisitely fine fur, which is very soft, and of a pearly gray. It is 

 used for ladies' and children's sets, but more especially for lining and 

 trimming cloaks, pelisses, and other articles of clothing. Not more 

 than 100,000 are taken yearly. 



The fur of the northern hare, which is white in winter and brown 

 in summer, is mostly used in the manufacture of hats. The skins of 

 the common European rabbit or French cony are used for ladies' sets 

 and children's furs. The fur is also used for hats. Several millions 

 are taken each year. 



The fur of the skunk is used, under the name of Alaska sable, for 



