ON THE TRADE IN SKINS AND FURS. 431 



Value of furs exported from European Russia to various countries in 

 Asia in 1859 : — 



To China 1,081,337 silver roubles. 



„ Other countries . . . 44,455 „ 



1,125,792 

 = £178,250 8s. 



The Russian- American Company of St. Petersburgh were exhibitors 

 of sea-otter, cross, silver, and blue fox skins. The sea-otter skins were 

 particularly choice ; but owing to the great demand which exists for 

 home consumption, the prices there realised exclude them from an 

 export trade. The blue-fox skins were also very good and cheap. The 

 cross fox are large, although not of the first quality : the price is so low, 

 that they demand attention. There were also specimens of fur-seal skins 

 in the raw state from the same territory, the prices of which are reason- 

 able. The moderate prices may arise from the judicious arrangements 

 made by this Company, under which only the mature animals are 

 slaughtered. At one period of the trade upon the coast 200,000 were 

 annually obtained ; but, by the indiscriminate destruction of old and 

 young, the race was nearly exterminated. 



These animals appear on the coast in the month of May, and remain 

 until October, when they disperse no one knows whither. Marked ones 

 have returned to the same places for ten years ; and there is therefore 

 no inducement to destroy the young, wherever wholesome restraint can 

 be placed on the trade. Under the Russian regulations, animals of four 

 years old are alone allowed to be killed, and the trade has revived. 



The sea-otter, an animal of analogous habits, was formerly found in 

 thousands on the Pacific coast, from California to the Russian settle- 

 ments ; but, in the absence of proper restrictions, is progressing towards 

 extinction on those parts of the coast under British rule. 



The Agricultural Department showed a large assortment of black and 

 gray lamb and sheep skins. These skins were beautifully tanned, to form 

 the clothing for the peasant. The wool side had not received the same 

 share of attention ; but if cleansed and bleached by one of our sheep- 

 skin dressers, the skins would present a far more valuable appearance. 



The squirrel skins were good and the price remarkably low ; the 

 ermine were also very cheap, and worthy of attention. 



There were some young reindeer skins, and coats made of the same, 

 the tanning of which was excellent. The Russians evidently excel in 

 this branch of fur-dressing. 



There were some mantles and neckerchiefs made from the swan's 

 down, very tastefully bordered with the down of the eider duck, shown 

 by A. Vinograd, of Nijni -Novgorod. The manufacture of one mantle 

 is quite novel ; it is exceedingly light and warm. 



From Sweden, Messrs. Forssell and Co. showed some well-manufac- 

 tured furs, and very fine baum marten, the produce of the country. 



