But In Most European Nations,
They Are Now Worn Promiscuously By The Opulent.
The martens from Northern Asia and the Mountains of Kamtschatka
are much superior to the American, though in every pack of
American marten skins there are a certain number which are
beautifully shaded, and of a dark brown olive color, of great
depth and richness.
Next these in value, for ornament and utility, are the sea-otter,
the mink, and the fiery fox.
The fiery fox is the bright red of Asia; is more brilliantly
colored and of finer fur than any other of the genus. It is
highly valued for the splendor of its red color and the fineness
of its fur. It is the standard of value on the northeastern coast
of Asia.
The sea-otter which was first introduced into commerce in 1725,
from the Aleutian and Kurile Islands, is an exceedingly fine,
soft, close fur, jet black in winter, with a silken gloss. The
fur of the young animal is of a beautiful brown color. It is met
with in great abundance in Behring's Island, Kamtschatka,
Aleutian and Fox Islands, and is also taken on the opposite
coasts of North America. It is sometimes taken with nets, but
more frequently with clubs and spears. Their food is principally
lobster and other shell-fish.
In 1780 furs had become so scarce in Siberia that the supply was
insufficient for the demand in the Asiatic countries. It was at
this time that the sea-otter was introduced into the markets for
China. The skins brought such incredible prices, as to originate
immediately several American and British expeditions to the
northern islands of the Pacific, to Nootka Sound, and the
northwest coast of America; but the Russians already had
possession of the tract which they now hold, and had arranged a
trade for the sea-otter with the Koudek tribes. They do not
engross the trade, however; the American northwest trading ships
procure them, all along the coast, from the Indians.
At one period, the fur seals formed no inconsiderable item in the
trade. South Georgia, in south latitude fifty-five degrees,
discovered in 1675, was explored by Captain Cook in 1771. The
Americans immediately commenced carrying seal skins thence to
China, where they obtained the most exorbitant prices. One
million two hundred thousand skins have been taken from that
island alone, and nearly an equal number from the Island of
Desolation, since they were first resorted to for the purpose of
commerce.
The discovery of the South Shetlands, sixty-three degrees south
latitude, in 1818, added surprisingly to the trade in fur seals.
The number taken from the South Shetlands in 1821 and 1822
amounted to three hundred and twenty thousand. This valuable
animal is now almost extinct in all these islands, owing to the
exterminating system adopted by the hunters. They are still taken
on the Lobos Islands, where the provident government of
Montevideo restrict the fishery, or hunting, within certain
limits, which insures an annual return of the seals. At certain
seasons, these amphibia, for the purpose of renewing their coat,
come up on the dark frowning rocks and precipices, where there is
not a trace of vegetation. In the middle of January, the islands
are partially cleared of snow, where a few patches of short
straggling grass spring up in favorable situations; but the seals
do not resort to it for food. They remain on the rocks not less
than two months, without any sustenance, when they return much
emaciated to the sea.
Bears of various species and colors, many varieties of the fox,
the wolf, the beaver, the otter, the marten, the raccoon, the
badger, the wolverine, the mink, the lynx, the muskrat, the
woodchuck, the rabbit, the hare, and the squirrel, are natives of
North America.
The beaver, otter, lynx fisher, hare, and raccoon, are used
principally for hats; while the bears of several varieties
furnish an excellent material for sleigh linings, for cavalry
caps, and other military equipments. The fur of the black fox is
the most valuable of any of the American varieties; and next to
that the red, which is exported to China and Smyrna. In China,
the red is employed for trimmings, linings, and robes; the latter
being variegated by adding the black fur of the paws, in spots or
waves. There are many other varieties of American fox, such as
the gray, the white, the cross, the silver, and the dun-colored.
The silver fox is a rare animal, a native of the woody country
below the falls of the Columbia River. It has a long, thick, deep
lead-colored fur, intermingled with long hairs, invariably white
at the top, forming a bright lustrous silver gray, esteemed by
some more beautiful than any other kind of fox.
The skins of the buffalo, of the Rocky Mountain sheep, of various
deer and of the antelope, are included in the fur trade with the
Indians and trappers of the north and west.
Fox and seal skins are sent from Greenland to Denmark. The white
fur of the arctic fox and polar bear is sometimes found in the
packs brought to the traders by the most northern tribes of
Indians, but is not particularly valuable. The silver-tipped
rabbit is peculiar to England, and is sent thence to Russia and
China.
Other furs are employed and valued according to the caprices of
fashion, as well in those countries where they are needed for
defenses against the severity of the seasons, as among the
inhabitants of milder climates, who, severely of Tartar or
Sclavonian descent, are said to inherit an attachment to furred
clothing. Such are the inhabitants of Poland, of Southern Russia,
of China, of Persia, of Turkey, and all the nations of Gothic
origin in the middle and western parts of Europe. Under the
burning suns of Syria and Egypt, and the mild climes of Bucharia
and Independent Tartary, there is also a constant demand, and a
great consumption, where there exists no physical necessity.
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