SKUNK

The poor little skunk has had a dreadful time living down his name. But at least he has succeeded - at least where the Furrier is concerned. This most beautiful of all naturally black Furs is no longer tagged black marten or Alaska sable, but travels proudly under its own name. Women of fashion clamour for skunk. The Fur is glossy, fluffy and rich, unexcelled for service and for continued beauty.

The skunk’s stripe tells a story of value. Because the white areas are not as soft and fine as the black areas, they are generally cut out. It is easy to understand then that pelts with very little white are much more desirable. In the case of the hog-nosed skunk, which is predominately white, the entire pelt is dyed. But even this process fails to achieve the rich deep black and lovely sheen of the natural skunk.

So popular have skunks become that they are being raised on ranches. A surgical operation at the age of four or five weeks eliminates the scent glands, the most prevalent objection to this animal. The skunk is in his glory in the Dakotas and Minnesota, where his coat is blue-black with a white streak down his back. His Fur is thicker and his guard hairs long and sprightly. Skunk Fur should be beaten by the Furrier and stored in summer in order to keep t fluffy and gleaming. Civet cat – neither civet nor cat – is really the American little striped skunk or lesser skunk. It is a striking animal, black with white markings – which take the form of a lyre. In France the name is Lyre. Its leather is thin, but if well reinforced the Fur will give good service.