MUSQUASH  Or

MUSK-RAT, BROWN and BLACK RUSSIAN.—Size 12 X8 in . A very prolific rodent of the amphibious class obtained from Canada and the United States, similar in habit to the English vole, with a fairly thick and even brown underwool and rather strong top dark hair of medium density . It is a very useful fur for men's coat linings and ladies' driving or motoring coats, being warm, durable and not too heavy . If the colour were less motley and the joins between the skins could be made less noticeable, it would be largely in demand for stoles, ties and muffs . As it is, this fur is only used for these smaller articles for the cheaper trade . It has, however, of later years been " unhaired," the underwool clipped very even and then dyed seal colour, in which way very useful and attractive garments are supplied at less than half the cost of the cheaper sealskins . They do not wear as well, however, as the pelt and the wool are not of a strength comparable to those of sealskin . With care, however, such a garment lasts sufficiently long to warrant the present outlay . Value Sad. to Is . 9d . There is a so-called black variety found in Delaware and New Jersey, but the number is very small compared to the brown species . They are excellent for men's coat linings and the outside of ladies' coats, for stoles, muffs, collars and cuffs .

Value sod. to 3s . 7d . The Russian musquash is very small, 7X4 in., and is limited in

numbers compared to the brown . Only a few thousands are imported to London . It is of a very pretty silvery-blue shade of even wool with very little silky top hair, having silvery-white sides and altogether a very marked effect . The odour, however, even after dressing is rather pungent of musk, which is generally an objection . Value 4s. to 6s . 6d .