430 ON THE TRADE IN SKINS AND PURS. 



under that of the American ; the fur at the same time much resembles 

 it, and when dyed by a clever workman, it requires a better judge than 

 the ordinary purchaser to determine its quality. The fur is rather 

 coarser, which renders it the more durable. The fitch, although fashion- 

 able many years since, is not now a favourite fur in England, but is 

 much worn in France. The skins found in Scotland of this animal are 

 considered finer than from any other country. The black lambskins 

 shown, for which the country is celebrated, were particularly fine. 

 There were also some fine samples of wild cat. 



Norway sent a collection of skins, the products of the country, com- 

 prising foxes, wolverine, otter, and marten. The wolverine and marten 

 were very fine samples ; but in their manufactured goods the Norwegians 

 seem to be far behind other countries. 



From Prussia, an excellent assortment of squirrel backs and squirrel 

 belly linings were shown by the Messrs. Keller of Weissenfels. Large 

 quantities of these skins are imported into England, but to a far less 

 extent than in 1851, when 4,500,000 were received. The fur of the 

 squirrel is light, and not capable of imitation ; and the goods, when 

 manufactured, being suitable to the means of the middle classes, it will 

 probably always continue in demand. The importation in 1860 was 

 164,976 skins, and in 1861 more than three times that number. 



In the Greek court a few skins were shown in red fox, squirrel, lamb, 

 and wild cat, not one of which is promising for the trade. 



The fur trade of Russia from the vastness of its territories, and the 

 exigencies of many portions of the country, is, as may be conjectured, 

 one of great magnitude. With the view of forming an adequate idea of 

 its extent, it may be desirable to introduce the latest official returns 

 upon the subject — viz., value of furs imported into European Russia 

 (exclusive of Finland) from various countries in the year 1859, 

 2,252,776 silver roubles. 



Value of furs exported from European Russia (exclusive of Finland) 

 to various countries in 1859 : — 



To Prussia 823,338 silver roubles. 



„ Great Britain .... 114,734 „ 



„ Other countries . . . 42,947 „ 



981,019 „ 



= £155,328 



Value of furs imported into European Russia, exclusive of Finland, 

 from various countries in Asia in 1859 : — 



From Persia 117,380 silver roubles. 



„ Kirghise Steppes . . 347,176 „ 



„ Bokhara .... 162,113 „ 



„ Other countries . . . 85,943 „ 



712,612 

 = £112,830 4s. 8«L 



