464 LEON AUGUSTUS HAUSMAN 
three species were selected, where possible, to illustrate the typi- 
cal trichologic structures in their various modifications. 
It was found that, after collection, the hair samples were most 
satisfactorily disposed of by placing them, together with their 
data slips, in gelatin veterinary capsules. One-ounce capsules 
were used for the longer hairs, and half- and quarter-ounce for 
the shorter ones. These containers were much more satisfactory 
than glass vials, for they could be transported loosely, with little 
care, without danger of breakage; were less expensive, and much 
lighter in weight. 
Preparation of hairs for microscopical examination 
1. Preparation for examination of cuticular scales. First 
method—dry mounting. Some authors recommend placing the 
hair directly beneath the microscope on a slide and making the 
examination dry, without previous preparation. This method 
was tried, and while it revealed in general the arrangement of the 
scales in those hairs which are coarse and in which the scales are 
unusually prominent, it failed to yield accurate results. It was 
found to be quite essential to have the hair shaft perfectly clean, 
otherwise dust fibers which adhered to it were quite likely to be 
mistaken for the fine transverse markings which indicate the 
outlines of the scale edges. The simplest method of preparation 
employed was that of washing the hair carefully in a solution 
composed of equal parts of 95 per cent alcohol and ether. This 
removed all the oleaginous matter from the surface of the hair 
shaft and made it difficult for dust fibers to find lodgment upon 
it. It was then transferred to a clean slide, covered with a 
cover-glass, and allowed to stand on a tripod over a low alcohol 
flame until the whole had become perfectly dry. Throughout 
the entire manipulation of hairs it was found to be absolutely 
imperative to keep all utensils and instruments, and especially 
all glassware, scrupulously clean. A dry examination of the hair 
was thenmade. This sort of treatment was found to be effective 
in the examination of hair whose scales were large or prominent, 
such as the hair of some of the Cervidae, or of the Camelidae. In 
the great majority of cases, however, it became necessary to have 
