Furs. Under the name of furs may be included the skins of almost all those animals which, for the sake of protection 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 considerably in different animals and countries. In winter the fur becomes thicker in its growth, thereby improving the quality and value for commercial purposes; young animals too possess thicker coats than full-grown ones. In some instances the under-fur alone is used in manufacturing, whilst the upper hairs are removed—e.g. in the fur-seal.
The more general use of furs in all civilised countries has made the fur-trade of the present day of even greater importance than in those flourishing days when the fur-traders were the chief pioneers of the North American continent: the quantities of many fur-bearing animals have vastly increased, especially of those rather small mammals which seem to thrive and breed quickly in the proximity of settlements; the larger ones, on the other hand, such as bears, beavers, &c., will in course of time, if not protected, become generally reduced in numbers, a fate which seems to have overtaken the buffalo or North American bison.
The chief supply of furs is obtained from Siberia and the northern parts of North America, and, as these tracts are for the greater part of the year frostbound, the fur-bearing animals enjoy a comparatively unmolested life; the fur, therefore, grows thickly during the winter 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 numbers of common furs, such as rabbits, hares, foxes, &c., besides the more valuable stone and baum (tree) martens, though the larger animals have almost disappeared as the countries have become more and more cleared and inhabited; South America yields nutrias and chinillas; whilst Australia exports rabbits, opossums, and kangaroos, and Africa monkey and leopard skins. Nearly all fur-skins are brought to the market in the raw or undressed state.
The two leading companies are the Hudson Bay Company (q.v.), established in 1670, and the North American Fur-sealing Company since 1890; the Fur Company of New York, the North-west Company, and the Russo-American Company of Moscow once held important positions, but they have long since been broken up or amalgamated. The Skinners' Company of London, one of the city companies or guilds, formerly possessed many ancient privileges and rights in connection with the fur-trade, but these are now in abeyance. The collections of furs of the two first-named companies, together with large quantities consigned from numerous private traders, are annually offered in London for public auction in January and March, with a smaller sale in June; periodical sales during the year are held besides of Australian, African, and other fur-skins. Many important fairs take place on the Continent and in Asia, of which the chief are at Leipzig in Germany (at Easter and Michaelmas), Nijni Novgorod and Irbis in Russia, and smaller ones at Frankfort (Germany), Ishim and Kiakhta (both in Siberia).
Following is a list of the principal fur-producing animals, with a few of the most interesting and important facts in connection with them with regard to the fur-trade; the values are those for the raw skins in the years 1890-95:
Badger (Taxidea americana).—The fine-haired kind, used for fur purposes, comes from North America—value, 6d. to 22s.; whilst the coarse bristly-haired skins (Meles taxus), utilised for brushes, are imported from Russia, Bosnia, and Bulgaria; value, 2s. to 2s. 6d.
Black Bear (Ursus americanus) yields the well-known fur which is seen on the headgear of the Guards; also much esteemed as a general fur, as it is long, black, glossy, and thick. About 14,000 skins are imported annually from Canada, Alaska, and part of the United States, values ranging from 2s. for very common to as much as £14 for best. The Brown or Isabella Bear is a variety of the above, the value considerably higher, and quantity imported much less. The Russian Bear (Ursus arctos), the Grizzly Bear (U. horribilis) from North America, and the white Polar Bear (U. maritimus) from the Arctic regions likewise possess skins of considerable value.
Beaver (Castor canadensis) has a rich brown fur, but is more generally known in its 'plucked' or 'unhairy' state (with the long hairs removed); the most valuable are quite black in colour; the fur has besides a good appearance when dyed. In former times beaver fur was used in the manufacture of hats, but is now almost superseded by silk. Exported from North America in quantities of about 150,000 skins annually. Value, from 6s. to 60s., according to quality.
Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera).—'Real' chinchilla is the finest and most delicate of all furs, extremely soft to the touch, and the colour bluish-gray; the best come from Peru, a good skin being worth 40s. 'Bastard' chinchillas are less valuable, and only worth from 6d. to 2s. apiece.
Ermine (Mustela ermineus).—Colour of fur white (in its winter coat), with the exception of the tip of the tail, which is black. The animal is widely distributed; the chief supplies from Siberia. The fur is no longer restricted to royalty as in olden times. Value, about 1s. Miniver is ermine fur with black spots of lamb-skin sewn in.