Journal 



OP THE 



NEW-YORK MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 



Vol. III. OCTOBER, 188V. No. 4. 



FUR FIBRES 



BY H. L. BREVOORT. 

 {Reteived Sept. ibth, 1887.) 



Plate 9. 



In the Journal of the Society, Vol. II, No. 5, some notes ap- 

 peared relating to the structure of the fur fibre. 



These observations related more especially to what the writer 

 knew about the subject, rather than to that which he did not 

 know. As a matter of fact the latter field is so much larger 

 than the former, that a few words in relation thereto may set 

 others working in a field, believed to be rich in results of a com- 

 mercial nature. 



The fur of animals now so largely enters into manufactures, 

 that the question of its exact structure and mode of growth be- 

 comes one of commercial importance. The writer has penetra- 

 ted this field, it is believed, as far and further perhaps than 

 anyone else, but that which has been observed amounts to so 

 little, and that which has not been observed amounts to so 

 much, that to the latter field the writer feels that he may invite 

 other workers, confident that they will find a rich reward for 

 their labors. 



In the accompanying illustrations, the plate in front shows 

 views of the fur of the Scotch Grey Coney, or Rabbit. The fur 

 of this animal is largely used in the manufacture of hats. 



The fibre is enlarged one thousand diameters. Its length on 

 this scale would be some eighty or ninety feet, consequently 

 only portions of its length have been shown. The view on the 

 left of the figure showing a tuft of dirt at its top or where it 



