126 TRICHOLOGIA MAMMALIUM ; 
becomes lighter, ending in considerable loss. When wool has been long kept a dust may 
be shaken from it. This is probably the decomposed yolk. 
Kraft,* (in Nov. Com. Petrop., v. 2, p. 24,) says that hairs lengthen after they are 
detached from the body. We know nothing of this phenomenon. (See Meckel, Man. 
of Anat., v. 1, p. 320.) 
* Having understood that Dr. Coates had seen some hair grown after death, we wrote to him upon the subject, and 
subjoin his answer: 
Puitapetputa, November 13th, 1851. 
Dear Sir:—I have received your polite favor respecting instances of hair growing on anatomical preparations while pre- 
served in spirits. I can hardly believe that this phenomenon is very rare. The specimen to which I referred Dr, Chaloner, 
was a tumour removed by Dr. Physick, at an early period of his practice, from behind and below the angle of the jaw of a 
man, with ultimate success. Part of the patient’s whiskers had grown from the portion of the skin which was removed. 
The case is in the Hospital Case Book, with a drawing; and, I think, was published in the journals of the day. In such 
cases, hair was uniformly shaved off before making the incisions; and I remember, in addition, hearing my father say that 
he saw this operation, and that it was done so in this pean: The hair, in the glass jar of spirits, when I saw hi appears 
to my recollection, above 1} inches long, probably nearer 2 inches; all which had grown in the spirits. 
I believe that the specimen is now in the Museum of the University. Dr. Leidy* has the control of that institution, and 
will, I am sure, be glad to show it to you. I should suppose that the hair ought now to be much longer. 
I am, very respectfully and sincerely yours, &c., &e., 
To P. A. Browne, Esq. B. H. Coates. 
* Dr. Leidy was unable to find this specimem. 
