486 
THE STORY OF THE MINK. 
Some years ago the fur of the mink was but little esteemed, and the 
price was at one time said to be so low as not to repay the cost of transport. 
Recently mink fur has, however, been more appreciated, and the animal 
has consequently been more vigorously trapped, w 7 ith the result that in some 
districts there has been a considerable reduction in its numbers. In 1865 
the value of a good mink skin was reported to have reached five dollars, and 
at that date upwards of six thousand of these skins were annually exported 
from Nova Scotia alone. It is stated that while for two decades the total 
number of European mink skins averaged fifty-five thousand, the exports of 
American mink reached one hundred and sixty thousand, but in the year 
1888 the number of American was upwards of three hundred and seventy 
thousand. At the latter date the value of Russian mink varied from about 
one to four shillings per skin, while American skins fetched from four to ten 
shillings. Much higher prices were, however, current a few years previ¬ 
ously. 
American iftink always obtains higher prices than Russian, the best 
skins coming from Alaska and New England. 
The Siberian mink is a little-known species inhabiting the districts to the 
eastwards of the Yenesei River, but unknown in Siberia. It is more like a 
polecat in general appearance, having similar dark and light markings on the 
head and face. The color is a clear rich tawny brown, as dark below as 
above. 
