108 TRICHOLOGIA MAMMALIUM; 
its root by the slightest force. Against this opinion it has been urged, that the hair of the 
head has been known to suddenly become grey, [colorless ;] which (they say) is proof 
that it still retaims a secretion from its proper vessels. It is replied, that this sudden 
change (or, more properly speaking, Joss) of color is due to chemical action. But this 
latter position is, in its turn, met by the rejoinder that the grey [white] color commences, 
in general, at the point [?] of the hair; and, also, that sometimes it does not act on all the 
hairs simultaneously, which it ought to do if? it were a chemical change. 
These are all very curious questions; but it is belheved that we have not, at present, 
sufficient knowledge of the modus operandi to discuss them to any advantage. 
However, one thing is certain, that in regard to pile generally, if not universally, there 
is a decidence, which is sometimes gradual, and at others pertodical. The former may be 
remarked in the slow and constant manner in which the hair of our heads falls out and is 
renewed; and is, most probably, due toa general law of our nature causing preduction, 
perfection, decay, and renewal of tissues. The latter appears to be a wise provision to 
secure the animal who depends upon his natural clothing, from suffering from the changes 
of seasons. Most animals, whose covering is hair, renew their coats at least once a year ; 
in the Horse it is shed twice, viz: in the spring and the-autumn, as may be observed in 
his wild state; when domesticated and stabled, it is transformed somewhat into a gradual 
decidence. In the Deer tribe there is a regular period; less so in the Ox, and least of 
all in the Dog. . 
Goldsmith tells us, that when the hair of the Reindeer drops, it is not from the root, as 
in other quadrupeds, but that it seems to be broken short near the bottom. (Nat. Hist. of 
Man, &c., 319.) We have had no means of examining this phenomenon. 
For this natural falling of the wool in the case of Sheep, shearing has been substituted. 
But there are some notable cases which would appear to be exceptions to the law. One 
of these, namely, a Merino of Lord Western, is noticed in the English books, where the 
fleece was retained, without the slightest disposition to separate from the animal, for three 
years. (See Lib. of Usf. Know., p. 63.) And we have, in our cabinet, a specimen of 
Merino wool, presented by Mr. Aaron Clements, of this city, which was the first shearmg 
of a three years’ old Merino ram, and which is 18 inches long without bemg stretched. 
(See upon this point, Luccock on Sheep, p. 118.) 
OF THE RESTORATION OF PILE, THAT HAS BEEN DETERIORATED, TO ITS ORIGINAL 
INTEGRITY.—Prichard relates, that the wild hogs of “the new world, the descendants of 
the animals left there by Europeans, bear a resemblance to the Wild Boar of France— 
the skin being covered with thick fur, [wool,] often somewhat crisp, beneath which, in 
some individuals, is a species of wool.* 
If these animals are so much like the Wild Boar of France, why may they not have 
descended from a wild species of America? 
* There may be eurielies, but there is but ene species of wool. 
