Jan. 1, 1865.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



263 



FURS AND THEIR PREPARATIONS. 



BY DR. PARMELEE* 



In the prepared state the skins are called fur ; but without pre- 

 paration they go by the common name of peltry. 



In Russia, Poland, East Prussia, Hungary, Bohemia, and Saxony, 

 lamb-skins constitute an essential part of the dress of thousands among 

 the lower classes, and the skins of various other animals may be con- 

 sidered as articles of absolute necessity. 



So early as the sixth century the skins of sable formed an article of 

 fashionable attire at Rome, and were brought from the confines of the 

 Arctic Ocean, at great cost, to supply the demand of that wealthy 

 capital. 



The traders of Italy brought a considerable supply of fur to England 

 in the time of George III. ; so much so, that this monarch prohibited 

 their use except among the wealthy classes. 



The Canadian fur trade was commenced by the French, soon after 

 their settlement on the St. Lawrence. The company formed in London, 

 and called the Hudson's Bay Company, was chartered by Charles II., in 

 1670. This prosperous company founded many establishments, and 

 carried on its trade for more than a century, when it met with a power- 

 ful competitor in the form of a new company composed of wealthy and 

 influential British settlers in Canada. This second company was called 

 the North-West Company, and its chief establishment was at Montreal, 

 though trading upward of 4,000 miles further to the north-west. After 

 long duration the two companies united into one, under the name of the 

 Hudson's Bay Fur Company, 



The Indian trade of the great lakes, Upper Mississippi, &c, was 

 enjoyed by the North American Fur Company, having its chief esta- 

 blishment at New York. Important as is the trade of these companies, 

 yet the most costly and highly-esteemed furs are furnished by the trade 

 carried on by Russia. The ermine is one of these, a fur which is pro- 

 duced in many countries, but only in perfection in Russia, Sweden, and 

 Norway. 



The colder the climate the finer and warmer is the fur of animals. 

 The finest furs are therefore brought from the colder regions. 



The effect of cold on the Hudson's Bay lemming was made the 

 subject of an experiment during Ross's voyage. The little creature 

 was kept in a warm cabin during several months. It retained its 

 summer fur. It was then exposed on deck, at night, to a temperature 

 of 30° below zero. After one night's exposure the fur on the cheeks, 

 and a patch on each shoulder, had become perfectly white. On the 

 second day those patches had extended, and the posterior part of the 



* A paper read at the Polytechnic Association of the American Institute. 

 VOL. V. H H 



