PELTRY, a general term applied to the trade in skins of wild animals, and to the skins themselves. It is understood to mean only skins undressed, except by drying, and chiefly those which, when dressed, are called furs, and it is especially applied to the produce of the north-western territory (lIndson's Bay territory) of British North America, although all others are included. The following table will show the kind of skins meant, and the vast destruction of animal life which is necessitated by this valu able branch of commerce.
The number and kinds of skins sold at the Hudson Bay company's sales in 1872 were as follows: Beaver 903,371 Otter 13,781 Sea Otte* Fur Seal 10,706 " " salted 1,029 Hair Seal.. 3,118 Musquash. 124,563 Fox, Silver 540 " Cross 2,027 " Red • 7,699 " White 2,804 " Blue 30 " Kitt 3,792 Fisher. 7,059 Marten 59,107 Mink 39,226 Ermine 2,938 Skunk 2,621 Wolverine. 1.656 Lynx.... 7,926 Wol f .
2,790 Raccoon 3,878 Badger..... 1,862 Bear 8,415 American Rabbit 3,070 Musk Ox - 44 American Deer.... 9,032 American Goat.... 188 Squirrel. 643 Weenusk. 130 Hare 126 Panther 5 Swan 317 Loon • 12 Besides these there were imported in the same year the following, chiefly foqhe pur pose of being tanned or otherwise dressed as leather, or already prepared.
Various skins, the animals' names not given 8,643,360 Goat and kid, dressed and undressed 5,737.320 Sheep and lamb, dressed and undressed 11,043,086 The total value of these was £3,629,848. The value of skins and furs imported in 1877 was £3,359,330.
The pelts of many animals in their original state do not appear well fitted for decora tive or even ordinary apparel. but the art of the furrier changes them greatly. The recent discovery, that the long hairs which project over the 'fine under-fur of many species, are also deeper rooted in the skin, has given rise to an ersy and admirable method of removing them very completely. The pelts are stretched and passed through a paring machine, which pares the flesh-side with such nicety that it takes of a thin layer, and cots only through the roots of the coarse, deep-seated hairs, which are consequently easily shaken or brushed out. In this way, and by the fur, beautiful imitations of the costly seal-skins, etc., are prepared from musquash, hare, and other common pelts. See FUR AND FURRIERY.
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