Skunk, or American Polecat (Mephitis americana).—America, 350,000. Size, 10 in. x 16 in.; overhair, 3 in. long, fine, dark-blue to coffee-brown, thick, flowing and glossy. Many have two white stripes from head to tail. Best are from New York and Ohio. Values, 4-10s. for lsts, 4-7s. for 2nds and striped; 3d.-3s. for 3rds and white. When the coarse white hairs have been removed, the fur is much used on ladies' apparel.
6,000,000. Size, 3 in. x 6 in. ; overhair and fur, fine ; colour, pale-blue to clear dark-blue ; bellies, white ; tails, long and bushy ; pelt, pliable and tough ; fur, fine, close and durable. Bost are from E. Siberia ; those from European Russia are much poorer and paler, while the American are worthless as fur. In universal demand for cuff:, tippets, and linings ; the taila are used for boas and brushes. Wcissenfels, in Saxony, is a great centre for tho dressing of squirrel skins.
Tiger (Felis Tigris).—Bengal and N. China, 500. Size varies np to 10-14 ft. long. The Bengal have short hair, but are well marked ; the Chinese have hair 2-3 in. long. Value of the latter, 10-201. Used for rugs.
Wolf (Canis oecklentalis, &c.)—Europe and America, 25,000. Size, from 4-6 ft. long down wards ; overhair, long, flowing and coarse, chiefly greyish-brown. The largest are from Labrador ; the finest furs are from Fort Churchill ; the prairie wolf is inferior in every respect. Numbers are taken to Tiflis from the Caucasus. Values, 30-65s. for white and dark lets, 10-30s. for do. 2nde and 3rds, 14-18s. for grey 1st large, 5-7s. for do. middling and 2od, Is. 6d.-4s. 6d. for do. small and 3rd.
Wolverine, or Glutton (Gulo luscue).—Russia, Norway, and Hudson's Bay, 3500. Size ft. x 2i ft.; overhair, ()mime, 2-4 in. long ; colour, dark-brown, passing almost into black ; fur, soft and long. Values, l5-25s. for lets, 5-15s. for 2nds and 3rds. Used for muffs and sleigh robes.
Bibliography.—E. H. Roberts, Trade in Skies and Furs,' (Technologist, vol. iii., London : 1863); Parmelee, 'Furs,' (Technologist, vol. v., London : 1865) ; P. L. Simmonds, 'Animal Products' (Loudon : 1877); M. M. Backus, 4 Fur and the Fur Trade' (Boston : 1879).