194 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Value of the duwn Utility of the vskin. 



it lias generally been observed, that they lay the 

 greatest number of eggs in rainy weather. One 

 female, during the time of laying; generally 

 gives half a pound of down ; which, however, is 

 reduced one-half after it is cleansed. 



The eider- down is of such value, when in its 

 purity, that it is sold in Lapland for two rix-dol- 

 lars a pound. It is extremely soft and warm; 

 and so light and expansive, that a couple of 

 handfuls squeezed together are sufficient to fill a 

 down quilt, which is a covering like a feather- 

 bed, used in those cold countries instead of a 

 common quilt or blanket. 



Fifteen hundred, or two thousand pounds 

 weight of down, cleansed and uncleansed, are 

 generally exported from Iceland, every year, by 

 the Iceland company at Copenhagen, exclusive 

 of what is privately exported by foreigners. -In 

 the year 1750, this company sold so much in 

 quantity of this article, as produced 3747 rix- 

 dollars, besides what was sent directly to Gluck- 

 stadt. 



The Greenlanders kill these birds with darts; 

 pursuing them in their little boats, watching 

 their course by the air bubbles when they dive, 

 and always striking at them when they rise to the 

 surface wearied. The flesh is valued as food, 

 and their skins are made into warm and com- 

 fortable under-garments. 



