FURS. Under the name of furs may be included the skins of almost all those animals which, for the sake of protec tion against cold, have for a covering an under layer of a soft, woolly, or downy texture, through which grows in most instances an upper one of a more bristly or hairy nature; some by nature possess more of the under coat, and others more of the upper, the proportion varying con siderably in different animals and coun tries. In winter the fur becomes thicker in its growth, thereby improving the quality and value for commercial pur poses; young animals too possess thicker coats than full-grown ones. In some in stances the under-fur alone is used in manufacturing, while the upper hairs are removed—e. g., in the fur-seal.
The chief supply of furs is obtained from Siberia and the N. parts of North America, and, as these tracts are for the greater part of the year frostbound, the fur-bearing animals enjoy a com paratively unmolested life; the fur, therefore, grows thickly during the win ter season, and is in its best condition when the animal is trapped in the spring; large quantities also of the smaller sorts are found in the United States; Europe produces immense num bers of common furs, such as rabbits, hares, foxes, etc., besides the more valu
able stone and Baum (tree) martens, though the larger animals have almost disappeared as the countries have be come more and more cleared and inhab ited; South America yields nutrias and chinchillas; while Australia exports rab bits, opossums, and kangaroos, and Africa monkey and leopard skins. Near ly all fur-skins are brought to the mar ket in the raw or undressed state.