46 TRICIOLOGIA MAMMALIUM; 
suppose that the basis of the coloring matter of all pile is the same substance differently 
modified. 
Or tHe Sueatu.—The cellular tissue, situated within the follicle and enveloping the 
button and a part of the shaft, at its posterior extremity, is called the “sheath.” Accord- 
ing to Henlé, it consists of two layers, between which is a fatty matter. This part is not 
said to be formed by the sznkeng down of the dermis, as the follicle is said to be. _ 
The sheath generally terminates at the epidermis, but may sometimes, in diseased hairs, 
be seen obtruding upon the shaft of the hair, above the epidermis, as in fig. 51. 
Or tHE FoiiicLe or Pite.—The word “follicle,” is derived from the Latin ‘“folliculus,” 
(which is a diminutive of ‘follis,”” a bag, purse or script,) and therefore means “a little sac.” 
In Anatomy it is defined to be ‘‘a secreting cavity.” (See Dict. of Med. Terms, by 
Hoblyn.) Prof. Dunghson (in Hum. Phys., 41,) says: “ Follicles, or crypts, are secretory 
organs, Shaped like membranous ampulle, or vesicles, always seated in the substance of 
one of the outer membranes of the body, the skin, or the mucous surfaces, and secreting 
a fluid intended to lubricate them.” (See also Dung. Med. Dict., title “Crypta.”’) 
In Botany, ‘follicle’ means a seed-vessel, husk, or cover. ‘‘ L’envelope membraneuse 
dans laquelle sont contenue les graines des plantes ”’ (Dict. of the French Academy.) 
There is nothing in its derivation or terminology to prevent us from using this word as 
we here do, to mean ‘a little sac, in which the posterior portion of the shaft of pile, 
with its button, is found, when the pile has come to maturity ;” 
the questions whether it is secretory or excretory. 
This part of pile has, sometimes, but very improperly, been called the ‘bulb;” for that 
term, (from bulbus,) in Botany, is applied to the sold roots of plants that have many coats 
or peels; and in Anatomy, it is applied to parts that have the outward shape of bulbous 
roots. 
The word “700i” has sometimes been, by analogy, but very improperly, applied to this 
part of pile. At other times the dutton is considered to be the root; as, for example, in 
Dunglison’s Hum. Phys., 103, it is said, that “the roots of the hair are in the form of bulbs, 
taking their origin in small follicles or open sacs,” &c. It would be better to discontinue 
the use of the word ‘“‘root”’ altogether, as regards pile; as it leads, insensibly, to error. 
Where the follicle is found.—Professor Dunglison says, that the consideration of the 
hair belongs, naturally, to that of the skin; and this integument he describes as consisting 
of four parts, viz: the cuticle, rete mucosum, corpus papillare, and corium. He copies 
from Wilson’s Hum. Anat., 493, a diagram in which all these, with the adipose. tissue 
(which underlays them all) are depicted; wherein there are seen two hairs, the follicle of 
one is represented as being zm the adipose tissue, and the other delow it. And that this 
did not arise from mere inattention in Wilson, we have a right to infer from the cireum- 
stance that in the explanatory notes it is observed, that in regard to these two hairs, enclosed 
in their follicles, their relative depth in the skin is preserved. 
On the other hand, Cazenave (in Traité des Mal. de cuir chevelu, 1850, p. 41,) describes 
the follicle as a little sac lodged in the dermis, having beneath it a conique papilla, which is 
without interfering with . 
