WHERE ASTRAKHAN SKINS. COME FROM. 7

The true Astrakhan skin, sometimes called fur, is the skin, of the stillborn Astrakhan lamb. The people of the province of Astrahhan know at what time the skin .of the unborn lamb arrives at the desirable state when the wool is just at the most valuable point, and the mother is slain to secure the lamb's skin ;, it is a profitable sort of sheep industry, since the demand -for skins comes fromwaalthy people the world over. The supply is' bo largely behind the wants of the trade that there are many substitutes and imitations on '"the market. In view of the fact that every Astrakhan lamb skin costs the life of tagth mother and offspring, it is shocking to humane people. that each a practice should be necessary to supply the demands of cultivated and refined' ladies. But the industry is profitable. There is no great loss in this ' double slaughter, as both skins, dam and lamb, are secured, and for all we know the ewe's flesh is need as food. Touat't tells us that the flesh of the unborn lamb is esteemed a delicacy, and sells readily for food.. Those lambskins which are black and glossy are most highly esteemed. The inhabitants of Tartary.do not kill the ewes, but destroy the ram lambs as soon as they are born, selecting suoh as have curly fieeoes, and especially of fhe most desirable colors. — . -.