The skin of the hair seal, found on the E. coast of North America, is used for trunks, military purposes, etc.; that of the wool seal is used largely in the French army for knapsacks.-The skins of the otter (Iutra vulgaris, L. Canadensis) make a beautiful and warm fur, which is much valued, especially by the Russians, Greeks, and Chinese. It is for the most part an American product; but it is also procured to some extent in the British isles from a smaller variety of the species. Another small variety with short fur is also found in the East Indies. The American otter is most abundant in the British possessions. It has a dark glossy brown fur, which is of two kinds, one being short, soft, and thick, the other longer and coarser, and intermixed with the former. It is worn chiefly by gentlemen, and is also used for ladies' trimmings. The price of an average dressed skin is about $13, and of the finest specimens about $18. Among valuable furs that of the sea otter holds a high rank. Its production is limited, and it commands a very high price, $400 being sometimes paid for a choice skin, while the average price is about $50. These furs are extensively worn by the nobles of Russia, and are highly esteemed by the Chinese. The supply is obtained chiefly from the coasts and islands of the North Pacific and about Kam-tchatka and Alaska. About 4,000 are annually taken off the coast of Alaska. The thick glossy fur, which is exceedingly fine and long, has a prevailing rich black color, tinged with brown above, and presenting lighter colors below7. The finest kinds are sometimes tipped with silver-gray hairs.

It is a curious fact that the skins of this animal are sometimes taken almost around the world before reaching the place where used. Thus many of them, caught N.

W. of Alaska, are sent successively to San Francisco, London, Leipsic, Moscow, Nizhni Novgorod, and finally to their destination in China.-The chinchilla (chinchilla lanigerd) is an animal intermediate between the squirrel and the rabbit, and inhabits South American countries. Individuals producing the darkest and best colored skins are found in the cold mountain regions of Chili and Peru. The fur, which is silvery gray, is remarkable for its fineness and softness. It is used for ladies' and children's sets, but more especially for lining and trimming cloaks and other articles of clothing. About 100,000 skins are taken annually, which are chiefly consumed in France, Germany, and Russia. The best skins of the Arica chinchilla, from Buenos Ayres, are worth about $6, though the average price is only about half that sum.-The lynx includes the Canada lynx and the lynx cat (felis Canadcn-sis, F. rufa). The fur is soft, warm, and light, naturally grayish, with dark spots, but commonly dyed a beautiful shining black. It is used for facings and linings of cloaks, for the most part in America, brought back from England. It is also largely used for ladies' mourning attire.

The skins of the lynx are valued at from $3 to $5. The fitch is the European polecat {piitorius communis). Its fur is of about the same value as that of the lynx, and is used chiefly for coat linings and ladies' wearing apparel. The demand for it in the United States has greatly diminished. -Less costly furs used for general purposes are those of the raccoon, rabbit, skunk, squirrel, wild cat, and muskrat. The skins of the raccoon {procyon lotor) are obtained from North America, and sent chiefly to Russia and Germany, where they are the great popular fur for lining coats, etc. The average price of raw skins is about 50 cts.. though the choicest black specimens sell for $8. This fur has also been used in the manufacture of hats. Rabbit skins are used in the natural condition and dyed for articles where cheapness is essential. They are extensively used by hatters. The Siberian squirrel has a short silky fur of a beautiful gray color, which is used chiefly in Europe for linings and small articles worn by ladies and children. The skins are worth from 50 to 75 cts. each. Of about the same value is the skin of the wild cat, used chiefly in Europe for coat linings and cheap sleigh robes.

The musk-rat or musquash {fiber zibethicus) is a native of North America, found generally along the banks of streams and in meadows. The skins are worth about 30 cts. each. They are generally dyed, and furnish a popular fur in Germany and Italy for linings and ladies' apparel. The skin of the skunk is an American production, valued at from 50 cts. to $1. It has been used in this country for linings and small articles of apparel, often under the name of Alaska sable. The demand for it is rapidly decreasing, and it is now chiefly used in France and Germany.-The fur of the beaver {castor Americanus) is fine, thick, and of a uniform reddish brown. The skins are obtained chiefly in British America and exported to England. The price of an average dressed skin is about $3 50, and of the best about $8. Formerly this fur was much used in the manufacture of hats, and was the leading article in the fur trade; but its use for this purpose greatly diminished in consequence of the employment of silk and other less expensive materials. It has, however, again been brought into extensive use by the introduction of a process of preparing the skins by which a handsome fur for trimmings and for gentlemen's collars and gloves is obtained. The fine silky wool of the beaver has also been successfully woven.

The white wool from the belly of the animal is still used in France for bonnets. Sleigh robes are often made of beaver skins. Much resembling the fur of the beaver is the nutria fur of the coypu, obtained from South America. The skins are worth from 12 to 25 cents each, and are chiefly used in America in the manufacture of hats.-The above constitute the leading furs used as articles of apparel for comfort or ornament There are valuable skins of other animals which' are extensively used for special purposes. Among these are the bear, buffalo, wolf, and wolverene. In northern regions bear skins afford the most useful and comfortable material for beds, caps, gloves, and other articles of clothing. Further south, in Europe and America, they are used for sleigh robes and mats. The most valuable of the bear skins is that of the white or polar bear, which has a fine, long, soft fur, silvery white tinged with yellow. The average value of a dressed skin is about $60, while a skin of the best quality is worth about $150. The skins of the black bear (ursus Americanus) and grisly bear (U. horri-bilis) are used for military purposes, while articles of ladies' apparel are sometimes made of the fur of the brown bear.