U)'2 



I will not dispute the occasional occurrence of such a phenomenon, 

 but I do assert, that it is compai*atively mre, and that, when it does take 

 place, the pointing is so slightly acuminated, and requires so long a time 

 to be efifected, {i.e. from 2 to 6 months,) that it affords no proof that our 

 hairs can elongate themselves by their own inherent power. 



Much misapprehension, I believe, has taken place upon this particular 

 point, from mistaking new hairs, which are pointed, for old ones which 

 have been cut. 



The best way to ascertain the fact is by shaving a part, and examin- 

 ing the hairs at intervals of a week or so. 



As far as my experience goes, the majority become knobby, from the 

 partial separation of the terminal fibres, and never become pointed at all. 



Respecting the development of hair little need be said. It exists in 

 almost all parts of the skin, and shows itself at an early period of foetal life, 

 It is stated that about the third month a depression may be detected in 

 the skin which forms the follicle ; the bulb is of course developed next, 

 and by its gi'owth a hair is produced. This is frequently curled up, and 

 the termination of the follicle closed for a considerable period. It 

 ultimately shows itself on the surface of the skin about the fifth or 

 sixth month. In some parts of the body, the leg and thigh for example, 

 these hairs remain curled up for many years, and may readily be detected 

 and exposed. They evidently do not grow very fast. In the male, they 

 usually burst their bonds at puberty ; in the female, they scarcely do so 

 at all. 



When once formed, the hairs are increased by new follicles being 

 developed in the close vicinity of the older ones, and it is by no means 

 uncommon for the older ones to die as fast as the new ones are produced. 

 This is particularly the case in the lower animals, whose coat is annually 

 regenerated. The same holds equally correct in many cases in the 

 human body, but is not so general. 



Most persons are aware that a great change takes place in the develop- 

 ment of the hair at certain periods, dependent upon adolescence and 



age. 



The influence of the several organs is very striking at puberty in the 

 male ; the hair is developed especially upon the face, chest, and pubis ; 

 it grows to a smaller degree upon the abdomen, legs, thighs, hands, and 

 arms, I have seen one individual hairy all over, like a monkey. This 

 tendency can rarely be repressed, but I have met with one instance in 

 which, by patient plucking out of the hairs at puberty, the growth of a 

 beard has been prevented. The gentleman's whiskers ai'e large, full, 

 and red ; a few stray hairs appear occasionally on the chin, but with 



