and the Dermal Coverings of Animals, 71 



debates was, that hoary looks, sometimes again become black, 

 and that there was a process by which the change could be arti- 

 ficially induced, and whereby red and light coloured hair could 

 bo made black. Several statements were made, whence it 

 would appear, that the Chinese have long been familiarly ac- 

 quainted with this art. One instance of which we shall detail. 

 M. L'Abbe Imbert, now favourably kno>vn as having given an 

 account of the manner in which the Chinese make their arte- 

 sian wells, or spouting fountains, came to Paris in the year 

 1823, to make preparations for his mission to China. At that 

 time his hair was of a glaring red colour ; on arriving, however, 

 at his destination, those interested in his success, to prevent his 

 immediate detection as a stranger and foreigner, amidst a people 

 universally black-haired, supplied him with a secret retreat, 

 and subjected him to a constitutional and internal treatment 

 which speedily turned into black the hair over his whole body ; 

 in which state he was seen by L'Abbe Voisin and many others. 

 This extraordinary transformation being effected on the carroty 

 locks of M. Imbert, we are the more prepared to admit its 

 possibility in hair that has become blanched. M. Roulin ac- 

 coixiingly mentioned a fact which was communicated to him 

 by L'Abbe Voisin a missionary, who had long resided in 

 China, and who was himself the subject of the transformation. 

 On his arrival in the Celestial Empire, his locks had already 

 become grey, and before he was allowed to hold intercourse 

 with the inhabitants, " he was subjected to a treatment, con- 

 sisting of internal remedies only, the result of which was to 

 blacken his hair not temporarily only but permanently." M. 

 Guerin also, in confirmation, stated, that he was acquainted 

 with two missionaries, who had hoary locks when they set off 

 for China, and who, on their return, had hair perfectly black. 

 He understood that the remedy, as it is called, for the produc- 

 tion of this effect, consists in an infusion of three kinds of plants, 

 followed up by a peculiar regimen. Several of the members, 

 notwithstanding the evidence adduced, could not overcome their 

 incredulity in the matter ; and M. Velpeau adduced the case 

 of M. Rochoux, whose hair at one time was white, whilst now 

 it is as decidedly black. In his case, it was not the result of 

 any remedy or any course of treatment. M. Roulia, to shew 



