THE TECHNOLOGIST. [Jan. 1, 1865. 



264 FURS AND THEIR PREPARATIONS. 



body and flanks had turned to a dirty white. During the next four 

 days the changes continued, and at the end of a week the animal was 

 entirely white. On examining the skin it was found that all the white 

 parts of the fur were longer than the unchanged portion, and that ends 

 of the fur only were white so long as they exceeded in length the dark- 

 coloured fur. T5y removing these white tips with a pair of scissors the 

 original dark summer dress appeared. 



The fur of the ermine ranks first in value ; and the older animals 

 furnish the best. These little animals are caught in snares and traps, 

 or by shooting with blunt arrows. The skins are sold in lots of 40, 

 called " the timber." 



Next in value are Russian sables. The length of the animal is from 

 1 8 to 20 inches. The darkest in colour are considered the most valuable. 

 The produce of Russia in these skins is about 25,000 annually. 



A great quantity of mink skins are sold to the inexperienced as real 

 Russian sables. 



There is also an inferior sable, called the Kolinski or Tartar sable, 

 procured from Russia. This fur when dyed is sold among inferior 

 sable. 



Next to the sable in rarity and cost comes the fur of the silver fox, 

 which is a native of the country below the falls of the Columbian River, 

 in Washington and Oregon Territories. 



The softest and most delicate fur is that of a little animal called the 

 chinchilla, about the size of a small squirrel, which inhabits Peru and 

 the northern parts of Chili. 



The sea otter has a very fine, close, soft fur ; jet black in winter, 

 with a silken gloss. That of the young animal is a beautiful brown. 



The Persian lamb-skins have a soft, compact, and elastic wool, which 

 is formed naturally into elegant curls or waves. When killed im- 

 mediately after birth, or taken from the mother, they are still more 

 beautiful and expensive. These skins have been considerably used in 

 Europe, but not yet in this country. A few have been very recently 

 imported. The most prized of these skins are the fine black. 



The sloth has a beautiful fur of a high lustre. 



Mr. Lusac, of New York, an elderly and intelligent merchant in furs, 

 informs us that the Germans excel all others in dressing and manufac- 

 turing furs, in a general degree. But furs, he adds, are put up in New 

 York which are not excelled by any in Europe. 



The Chinese possess arts connected with the dyeing of furs, as well 

 as in the preparation of skins, which would command a large price if 

 they could be transferred to European or American artisans. 



The dyeing of furs may be considered the most difficult part of their 

 preparation. It requires the most careful and skilful manipulation. 

 Mr. Aphold, of London, has gained much repute for his skill in dyeing 

 brown, which is a difficult shade to attain. 



Otter fur has been dyed in New York better than in Europe. Musk- 



