Curing & Stretching Hides & Skins
Curing Skins. Stretchers. The Hoop Stretcher. Tanning Skins. To Tan Mink And Muskrat Skins. How To 
Tan The Skins Of Beaver, Otter, Raccoon, And Marten. Observations On The History Of Furs And The 
Fur Trade. Market Value Of Fur Skins. American Fur Skins—Their Uses At Home And Abroad.

Calculating on a successful campaign, a supply of board-stretchers, below, will be needed for the curing of the 
skins, and if our adventurous enthusiasts should extend their experience along into the winter, the toboggan and 
snowshoes will come into good use for convenient winter travel.

The trapping season properly commences in October and ends in April. The pelts of fur bearing animals are in their
best condition during this time, and in the winter are in their prime. The various modes of setting and baiting traps 
for all our leading animals are clearly set forth in another part of this volume. And in the accompanying engravings 
will be found life like representations of each species.

In a trapping campaign it is an excellent plan to select a central point for the home shanty, extending the trapping 
lines in several directions therefrom, following the borders of the lakes or streams for the otter, beaver, mink and 
muskrat; and setting a few lines inland for the capture of martens, racoons, foxes, etc.

For an amateur campaign this a most excellent and convenient arrangement, the lines may extend all the way from 
one to five miles each, and connect at their edges, the whole ground plan resembling the form of a wheel, the  
shanty corresponding to the hub, and the trapping lines the spokes, the tire representing the circuit connecting the 
various lines. Where the latter extend over many miles it is well to construct bark shanties at the limits. Let each 
trapper take a certain "spoke," and follow it to its terminus, returning on the adjacent line. 

On his arrival at the shanty he should immediately set to work skinning the animals taken, and stretching their furs. 
Full directions for skinning the various game are given under their respective titles, and the curing of skins is 
treated in detail in another chapter of this work. We also present a table of the comparative values of the various 
American furs at the present date of publication. Of course these values are constantly varying, but the table will 
serve at least to gauge the relative values of common and scarce furs. Great care should always be used in 
removing the skins from the various animals, as the final value of the fur much depends upon this. They should not 
be removed from the stretchers until perfectly dry, and should then be laid in a cool, airy place. 

CURING SKINS.
This department of the trapper's art is one of the most important and necessary, as affecting pecuniary profits. The
value of a skin in the fur market depends entirely upon the care with which it is taken from the animal and afterward
prepared, and without a knowledge on this subject the young trapper will in vain seek for high prices for his furs. 
Large quantities of valuable skins are sent to our markets annually by inexperienced amateur trappers, and in many
cases rare and beautiful furs have been almost spoiled by want of care in skinning and curing.

The rules are simple and easily followed, a little care being all that is necessary to insure most perfect success. In 
every case the skin should be removed shortly after death, or at least before it has become tainted with decay. 
Great pains should be taken in skinning. Avoid the adherence of flesh or fat to the skin, and guard against cutting 
through the hide, as a pierced skin is much injured in value. The parts about the eyes, legs and ears should be 
carefully removed. The various methods of skinning are described in our section on trapping, and in all cases the 
furs should be allowed to dry in a cool, airy place, free from the rays of the sun or the heat of a fire, and protected 
from rain.

Astringent preparations of various kinds are used by many trappers, but they are by no means necessary. The 
most common dressing consists of equal parts of rock salt and alum dissolved in water. Into this a sufficient amount 
of coarse flour or wheat bran is stirred to give the mixture the consistency of batter, after which it is spread thickly 
over the skin and allowed to dry.

It is afterwards scraped off, and in some cases a second application is made. This preparation is much used in 
dressing beaver, otter, mink and muskrat skins, but as many of our most successful and experienced trappers do 
without it, we fail to see the advantage of using it, as it is only an extra trouble. The simplest and surest way is to 
stretch the skin and to submit it to a gradual process of natural drying without any artificial heat or application of 
astringents to hasten the result.

A very common mode of stretching skins consists in tacking them to a board, with the fur inwards, and allowing them
to dry as already described. This method does very well for small skins, but for general purposes the "stretchers" 
are the only means by which a pelt may be properly cured and prepared.

STRETCHERS.
The board stretcher is the simplest form and is in most common use among trappers for the smaller animals. These 
stretchers are of two kinds, the plain and the wedged. The plain stretcher consists of a piece of board a quarter of 
an inch in thickness, about eighteen inches long and six inches in width. One end of this board is rounded off, as 
seen in our illustration, and the sides should also be whittled and smoothed to a blunt edge.

The board stretchers are used only for those skins which are taken off whole, that is, as described in the chapter on
the otter. The skin should be drawn tightly over the blunt end of the board, and its edges either caught in notches 
cut in the edges of the square end or secured by a few tacks. This stretcher is particularly adapted to the skins of 
muskrats, minks and animals of a like size. They are known in New England as "shingle stretchers," and are much to
be recommended on account of their lightness and the ease with which they can be made and carried.

The wedge stretcher is rather more elaborate than the foregoing, and is said to be an improvement.

The first requisite is a board of about three-eighths of an inch in thickness, two feet or more in length, and three and
a half inches at one end tapering to the width of two inches at the other. This end should now be rounded, and the 
edges of the board whittled off to a blunt edge, as already described in the foregoing, commencing near the centre 
of the board, and thinning to the edge, and finishing with the notches at the square end. Now, by the aid of a 
rip-saw, sever the board through the middle lengthwise.

The wedge is the next thing to be constructed, and should consist of a piece of wood the thickness of the centre of 
the board and of the same length, tapering from an inch in width at one end to half an inch at the other.

To use the stretcher the two boards are inserted into the skin, (the latter with the fur side inward). The wedge is 
then inserted between the large ends of the boards and driven in sufficiently to stretch the pelt to its full capacity, 
securing it in the notches by slight cuts in the hide, or by a tack or two at the edge. It should then he hung in a cool, 
airy place, and the pelt left to "season."

The bow stretcher is another contrivance very commonly used for small skins like the foregoing. When this is used 
the pelt should be skinned as described on page 185, the initial cut commencing at the lower jaw and extending 
down between the fore legs, all the feet being previously cut off. The bow may consist of a switch of any elastic 
wood such as hickory iron wood, elm or birch. It should be about three or more feet in length, and as large as a 
man's thumb at the butt end. By bending it in the shape of the letter U it may easily be inserted in the skin, the latter
being fastened by catching the lip on each side into a sliver notch cut on each end of the bow, as our illustration 
indicates.

For large animals, such as the deer, bear, beaver, the hoop stretcher is generally employed.

THE HOOP STRETCHER.
This consists of a hoop made from one or more flexible switches tied together so as to form a circle. In order to be 
adapted to this mode of stretching, the skin should be flat, i.e. taken off as described on page 172, the initial cut 
extending from the lower jaw to the vent. The size of the hoop required depends upon the dimensions of the skin. 
Lay the latter upon some flat surface and so gauge the hoop as that it shall surround the pelt on all sides; after 
which the latter should be secured or laced to the hoop with twine at the edges. All loose parts should be drawn up, 
and the skin should everywhere be stretched like a drum head. When this is accomplished it is the custom with 
many trappers to apply the preparation described on page 273, particularly where the skin is thick and fatty. But we 
are rather disposed to discourage the use of any preparation whatever, in any case, as they are by no means 
necessary.

In using the board stretchers the fur should always be on the inside, and when the hoop or bow is used it should be 
placed in such a position, that the air may circulate freely on both sides of the skin, which should not be removed 
until thoroughly dry.

TANNING SKINS.
In case some of our readers might desire to tan fur skins for their own domestic purposes, the subjoined directions 
will be found to be reliable, and for all ordinary requirements, sufficiently adequate.

For tanning with the hair on, the skin should first be cleaned, every particle of loose fat or flesh, being removed, 
and the useless parts cut away. When this is done, it should be soaked for an hour or two in warm water. The 
following mixture should then be prepared: Take equal parts of borax, saltpetre, and sulphate of soda, and with 
them mix water sufficient to produce the consistency of thin batter.

This preparation should be painted thickly on the flesh side of the skin, after which these sides should be doubled 
together and the pelt left in an airy place. A second mixture should next be prepared. This should consist of two 
parts sal soda; three parts borax; four parts castile or other hard soap: all to be melted together over a slow fire. At 
the end of twenty-four hours, after the application of the first mixture, the second should be applied in a similar 
manner, and the fur again folded and left for the same length of time. Next, make a mixture equal parts of salt and 
alum, dissolved in warm water and thickened with coarse flour to the consistency of thin paste. Spread this thickly 
over the skin and allow it to dry, after which it should be scraped off with the bowl of a spoon. The skin should be 
tightly stretched during the operation, in order to prevent too great shrinkage. A single application of the last-named
dressing, is generally sufficient for small skins; but a second or third treatment may be resorted to if required, to
make the skin soft and pliable, after which it should be finished off with sandpaper and pumice stone. A skin may be 
thus dressed as soft as velvet, and the alum and salt will set the hair securely.

The above directions are excellent, for all general purposes, but we subjoin, in addition, a few other valuable hints 
and specific recipes in common use. Every trapper has his own peculiar hobby in regard to his tanning process, 
and the recipes are various and extensive. The above is one of the most reliable for general use. A common mode 
of tanning mink and muskrat skins is given in the following:—

TO TAN MINK AND MUSKRAT SKINS.
Before tanning, the skin should always be thoroughly cleansed in warm water, and all fat and superfluous flesh 
removed. It should then be immersed in a solution made of the following ingredients: 

	Five gallons of cold soft water; 
	five quarts wheat bran; 
	one gill of salt; and 
	one ounce of sulphuric acid. 

Allow the skins to soak in the liquid for four or five hours. If the hides have been previously salted, the salt should be
excluded from the mixed solution. The skins are now ready for the tanning liquor, which is made in the following way:
into five gallons of warm, soft water, stir one peck of wheat bran and allow the mixture to stand in a warm room until 
fermentation takes place. Then add three pints of salt, and stir until it is thoroughly dissolved. A pint of sulphuric 
acid should then be poured in gradually, after which the liquor is ready. 

Immerse the skins and allow them to soak for three or four hours. The process of "fleshing" is then to be resorted to.
This consists in laying the skin, fur side down, over some smooth beam, and working over the flesh side with a blunt 
fleshing tool. An old chopping knife, or tin candlestick, forms an excellent substitute for the ordinary fleshing knife, 
and the process of rubbing should be continued until the skin becomes dry, after which it will be found to be soft and
pliable. The skin of the muskrat is quite tender, and the fleshing should be carefully performed.

HOW TO TAN THE SKINS OF BEAVER, OTTER, RACCOON, AND MARTEN.
These should be stretched on a board and smeared with a mixture composed of three ounces each, of salt and 
alum; three gills of water, and one drachm of sulphuric acid. This should be thickened with wheat bran or flour, and 
should be allowed to dry on the skin, after which it should be scraped off with a spoon.

Next, take the skin from the board, roll it with the fur inside, and draw it quickly backward and forward, over a smooth
peg, or through an iron ring. The skin should then be unfolded and rolled again the opposite way, and the operation
repeated until the pelt is quite soft and flexible. This is a good way of softening all kinds of skins, and the above 
preparation will be found excellent for all ordinary purposes. The muskrat skin may be treated in the same manner 
as the above, if desired, and the process directed on the muskrat skin may also be applied to the pelts of the other 
animals.

To remove the fur for a simple tanned skin, the hide should be immersed in a liquid composed of—
	soft water, five gallons; 
	slaked lime, four quarts; and 
	wood ashes, four quarts. 
Allow the skin to soak for a couple of days, after which the fur will readily slip off.

Another method—take equal parts wood ashes and slaked lime, and add water to the consistency of batter. Spread
this over the inside of the skin, roll it up, and place it in a pail, covering it with water. Here let it remain from one to 
five days, or until the hair will shed easily, after which it should be finished with the fleshing knife and velveted with 
sand paper.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HISTORY OF FURS AND THE FUR TRADE.
In all cold climates, man has availed himself liberally of the warm covering with which nature has clothed the animals 
around him; but the wealth of the most favored nations has drawn to them the most beautiful furs, in whatever part
of the world they are procured. Skins of animals were among the first materials used for clothing. Before Adam and 
Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden, they were furnished with coats of skins. The ancient Assyrians used the 
soft skins of animals to cover the couches or the ground in their tents, and the Israelites employed badger's skins 
and ram's skins, as ornamental hangings for the Tabernacle. The ancient heroes of the Greeks and Romans, are 
represented as being clothed in skins. Æneas, wearing for an outer garment, that of the lion, and Alcestes being 
formidably clad in that of the Libyan Bear. Herodotus speaks of those living near the Caspian Sea wearing seal 
skins, and Cæsar mentions that the skin of the reindeer formed in part the clothing of the Germans. 

In the early period, furs appear to have constituted the entire riches of the Northern countries, and they were almost
the only exports. Taxes were paid on them, and they were the medium of exchange. So it was also in our own 
Western territories in the latter part of the last century, and is to the present day, to a great extent, among the 
Indians. 

In the eleventh century, furs had become fashionable throughout Europe, and the art of dyeing them, was practiced 
in the twelfth. In the history of the Crusades, frequent mention is made of the magnificent displays by the European 
Princes, of their dresses of costly furs, before the Court at Constantinople. But Richard I. of England, and Philip II. of
France, in order to check the growing extravagance in their use, resolved that the choicer furs, ermine and sable 
amongst the number, should be omitted from their kingly wardrobes. Louis IX. followed their example in the next 
century, but not until his extravagance had grown to such a pitch, that seven hundred and forty-six ermines were 
required for the lining of one of his surcoats. 

In the times, the use of the choicer furs, as those of the sable, ermine, gris, and Hungarian squirrel, was restricted to
the royal families and the nobility, to whom they served as distinctive marks and badges of rank. These privileged 
persons applied them lavishly to their own use, and the fashion extended to the princes of other less civilized 
nations. Their royal use soon extended to Tartary, and the tents of the Khan were bedecked with the most rich and 
costly furs. 

In the following century, furs were commonly worn in England until their use was prohibited by Edward III., to all 
persons whose purse would not warrant a yearly expenditure of £100.

The early fur trade of Western Europe, was conducted through the merchants on the south coast of the Baltic, who 
received goods from the ports of Livonia. In the sixteenth century, a direct trade was opened between the English 
and Russians; and a company of the former, protected by the Czar, established trading posts on the White Sea, 
and a warehouse at Moscow, whence they sent trading parties to Persia and the countries on the Caspian Sea. 
The Czar sent rich presents of beautiful furs, to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth; but the latter prohibited the 
wearing of any but native furs, and the trade soon declined and was abandoned. 

In the 17th century, Siberia was conquered by the Russians, and its tribute was paid in furs. Large quantities were 
also furnished to China, but the choicest kinds—the precious ermine, the brilliant, fiery foxes, and the best sables, 
were taken to Moscow, for the use of the princes and nobles of Russia, Turkey, and Persia.

In our own country, the early settlers of the Northern provinces, soon learned the value of the furs of the numerous 
animals which peopled the extensive rivers, lakes, and forests of these vast territories. They collected the skins in
abundance, and found an increasing demand for them, with every new arrival of immigrants from the mother 
country. Trinkets, liquors, and other articles sought for by the native tribes, were shipped to Quebec, and from 
thence up the St. Lawrence to Montreal, which soon became the great trading post of the country.

The various tribes of Indians were stimulated by trifling compensation, to pursue their only congenial and peaceful 
occupation; and the French settlers, readily assimilating to the Indian habits, became themselves expert hunters, 
trappers, and explorers.

The business prospered, and the English soon became interested and secured a share of the valuable trade. Many
wealthy and influential parties, connected with the government of Great Britain,—Prince Rupert and Lord Ashley, 
among the number—became deeply interested in this source of revenue; and after a successful enterprise, they 
obtained from Charles II., a charter of incorporation, giving to them full possession of the territory within the 
entrance of Hudson's Straits, not already granted to other subjects, or possessed by those of any other Christian 
prince or State. 

In this charter was included the monopoly, of all trade in these regions, and thus we see the origin of the Great 
Hudson's Bay Company, which is to-day, one of the largest organizations of its kind on the globe. The territory they 
claimed, extended from Hudson's Bay, west to the Pacific, and north to the Arctic Ocean, excepting that occupied by
the French and Russians.

They soon formed settlements upon the various rivers which empty into Hudson's Bay, and carried on their 
operations with immense vigor and success. They met with much opposition and open hostility from the French, and
were subjected to vast expenses and losses, but in spite of all, they continued to prosper. Their forts or factories 
were extended further into the interior of British America, and their power was supreme throughout the country, and 
in a great measure over the Indians, whom they employed to collect their skins. 

In the course of time, the French Canadians organized themselves into a united band, under the name of the North 
West Company, and established their headquarters at Montreal. Their operations were carried on with great energy
and profit, and many factories were built in the western portion of the Province. The company thus soon became a 
formidable competitor with the Hudson's Bay Company and for a period of two years, an actual state of war existed 
between them. This condition of affairs finally terminated in a consolidation of the two organizations, under the name
of the Hudson's Bay Company, the privileges of which extended over all the territory formerly occupied by both.

Thus, we have the history of the famous Hudson's Bay Company, from its origin to its perfect organization. It is a 
most stupendous concern, and its annual shipment of furs, is something amazing. Their great sales take place in 
the month of March, in order to be completed before Easter; and again in September, every year at London, and 
are attended by purchasers from nearly all parts of the world. Leipsic, the famous fur mart of Germany, is also the 
scene of a great annual fair, for the sale of skins.

The importance of the fur trade in this country, led to the early settlement of the Western territories of the United 
States; and many a frontier city, like St. Paul, has been built up by the enterprise of the trapper. Mackinaw and 
Montreal owe much of their growth to the traffic of the fur trade; and many a kingly fortune—John Jacob Astor's, for 
instance—has been founded on peltry.

Besides the above fur sales in London a moderate portion of those annually collected in the United States are 
retained for use, amounting to about 150,000 mink and 750,000 muskrat skins, besides a number of other furs 
which are manufactured and worn.

The annual yield of raw furs throughout the whole world is estimated at over twenty millions of dollars in value; and 
when we include the manufactured articles therefrom, the amount will swell to a hundred millions or over. This will
serve to give some idea of the immensity and value of the business.

American dealers divide our native furs into two classes, viz., home and shipping furs; the former being chiefly 
utilized in our own country, while the latter are exported to all parts of the world. New York City is the great fur mart
and depot for the shipping trade in this country, and the annual value of its exports, in this one branch of trade is 
enormous.

The principal shipping furs are the silver, red and cross Fox, Wild Cat, Raccoon, Fisher, Muskrat and Skunk.

Among the home furs are the Marten, Mink, Opossum, Wolf and Muskrat, the latter being extensively used both 
here and abroad.

In the following chapter will be found more detailed notes on the leading American furs, including their various uses 
and the different countries for which they are the especial staples.

In order to give the reader some idea of the variety and magnitude of the yield of furs from our own country, we 
annex a table (p. 282) showing the sales of the Hudson's Bay Company, at London, in the year 1873.

MARKET VALUE OF FUR SKINS.
Below will be found an authentic table of the comparative values of the various American furs at the present date of 
publication. The quotations are those of one of our largest fur dealers, as published in "THE HAT, CAP AND FUR 
TRADE REVIEW," the leading journal of the trade in America. Of course these values are constantly varying—
keeping pace with the eccentricities of fashion and the demands of the fur trade; but the table will serve at least to
gauge the relative values, as between the two extremes of common and scarce furs. The fur market is a great deal 
like the stock market. It is constantly fluctuating, and a fur which is to-day among the novelties, may next year find
itself on the low priced list. The demand for furs of any kind is nearly always governed by fashion, and of course the 
value is estimated on the demand. If the convention of fur dealers should decide to usher in Muskrat fur as the 
leading and most fashionable article in that line, the fashion would create the demand, the demand would be in turn 
supplied by the trappers throughout the country, and in proportion as the Muskrat skins became scarce, so their 
value would increase. In this way a skin which may be worth fifty cents at one time may soon acquire a value of 
twenty times that amount. The comparative value of skins is, therefore, constantly varying more or less; but the 
annexed table (page 283) will be found useful for general reference, and for approximate figures, will probably
answer every purpose for some time to come.

Notwithstanding all these advertised prices, the young trapper often experiences great difficulty in a profitable 
disposal of his furs. Like every other business, the fur trade runs in its regular grooves, and the average furrier will
often pay an experienced professional five dollars for a skin for which he would not offer a dollar to an amateur. This
certainly seems discouraging, but the knowledge of the fact is calculated to prevent greater discouragement.

We often see fancy prices advertised by fur dealers for first-class skins; but when the furs are sent, only a few are 
selected as "prime," the rest being rejected as worthless, or perhaps meeting with a meagre offer far below the 
regular rates. In this way the dealers have the opportunity of choice selection without incurring any risk. Many a
young trapper has been thus disappointed, and has seen his small anticipated fortune dwindle down to very small 
proportions.

The fur trade is supplied through regular professional channels; and in giving our advice to the novice, we would 
recommend as the most satisfactory and profitable plan that he should make his sales to some local hunter or 
trapper, who has had experience with the fur trade, and who is satisfied to pay a fair price for the various skins with 
the probability of selling at an advance, and thus realizing a profit.

In nearly every trapping locality such men are to be found, and although the prices earned may be below the market
rates, the amateur takes none of the speculative risks of the business, and should be willing to take lower prices on
this account.

AMERICAN FUR SKINS—THEIR USES AT HOME AND ABROAD.
In the early history of fur apparel, its use was determined by climate; to-day, and especially in this country, it is 
regulated by the caprice of fashion. The mink for many years took the lead in the list of fashionable furs, but has of 
late been superseded by the introduction of the fur seal. The most choice and costly of our American furs at the 
present day is the Silver Fox. When highly dressed they are worth from 10 to 50 guineas each in the European 
market. They are principally bought by the Russians and Chinese.

The skins of the Red Fox are purchased by the Chinese, Greeks, Persians, and other Oriental nations. They are
made into linings for robes, etc., and ornamented with the black fur of the paws which is set on in spots or waves. 

The fur of the Beaver was formerly highly prized in the manufacture of hats. and yielded a large portion of the 
profits of the Fur Companies, constituting the largest item in value among furs. Cheaper materials have since been 
substituted in making hats, and the demand for this purpose has been greatly reduced. By a new process the skin 
is now prepared as a handsome fur for collars and gauntlets, and its fine silky wool has been successfully woven. 
The soft, white fur from the belly of the animal, is largely used in France for bonnets.

Raccoon skins are the great staple for Russia and Germany, where, on account of their durability and cheapness, 
they are in demand for linings for coats, etc. 

Among the Bear skins, those of the black and grizzly are extensively used for military caps, housings, holsters, 
sleigh robes, etc,

The fur of the Lynx is soft, warm and light, and is commonly dyed of a beautiful shining black. It is used for the 
facings and linings of cloaks, chiefly in America.

The Fisher yields a dark and full fur which is largely used in fashionable winter apparel.

The skin of the Marten, is richly dyed and utilized in choice furs and trimmings.

The Mink, like the two foregoing, belongs to the same genus as the Russian Sable, and its fur so much resembles 
the latter as to be sometimes mistaken for it. It is one of fashion's furs, and the hair of the tail is sometimes used in 
the manufacture of artist's pencils.

The Muskrat produces the fur most worn by the masses, and is largely exported into Germany, France and 
England. It is estimated that over six millions of muskrat skins are annually taken in America, and of that number
one-half are used in Germany alone.

The skin of the Otter is at present classed among the leading fashionable furs in this country. They are dyed of a 
deep purplish black color, and are made into sacques, muffs, etc. It is also used by the Russians, Greeks and 
Chinese. It is mostly an American product, but is also procured to some extent in the British Isles from a smaller 
variety of the species.

The skins of the Wolf are chiefly used for sleigh robes and such purposes. 

The fur of the Rabbit is mainly employed in the manufacture of felt, and is also utilized for lining and trimming. The 
business of breeding rabbits for their fur has been introduced into the United States, and large numbers have been
successfully raised in Danbury, Conn., for felting purposes connected with the manufacture of hats.

The fur of the Wolverine or Glutton, finds a market for the most part in Germany, where it is used for trimmings and 
cloak linings.

The Skunk furnishes the fur known as Alaska Sable, which forms one of our staple pelts, many thousands being 
annually exported to Poland and the adjacent provinces.

The Badger yields a valuable and fashionable fur, which is also extensively used in the manufacture of artist's 
brushes; a good "badger blender" forming a valuable accessory to a painter's outfit. Shaving brushes by the 
thousand are annually made from the variegated hair of the badger.

The Opossum yields a fur in very common use among the masses, and the skins of the domestic Cat are utilized to 
a considerable extent in the manufacture of robes, mats, etc. 

The fur of the Puma and Wild Cat are also employed in this form, and may often be seen handsomely mounted and 
hanging on the backs of sleighs on our fashionable thoroughfares. 

Among the small game the skins of Squirrels are used for linings, and the soft, velvety fur of the Mole is 
manufactured into light robes, and very fine hats, and in theatrical paraphernalia is sometimes employed for artificial
eyebrows.

Full descriptions of the color of the various furs will be found in our lengthy illustrated chapter on our American 
animals.


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