Chamois Skins

The animal from which the chamois skin derives its name inhabits the

high mountains from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus. Chamois are most

numerous in the Alps, where they dwell in small herds and feed on the

herbage of the mountain sides. They are about the size of a small goat,

dark chestnut-brown in color, with the exception of the forehead, the

sides of the lower jaws and the muzzle, which are white. Its horns,

rising above the eyes, are black, smooth and straight for two-thirds of

their length, when they suddenly curve backward.



The chamois hunter, provided with a gun, a bag of provisions, an

iron-shod staff to assist him in climbing and leaping, an ax to cut

steps in the ice and shoes studded with iron points, traverses the

mountains and follows his prey not only during the day, but also at

night.



Nearly all the chamois skins now in the market are made from the skins

of the lamb or sheep. This industry has been largely developed in

England and France, and these countries have supplied the market of the

United States almost exclusively until recent years, when the

manufacture of these goods was commenced in the United States.