152 TRICHOLOGIA MAMMALIUM; 
ing the last census, it will be seen that we raise swine in suflicient numbers to supply 
bristles for our own wants, leaving a large balance for exportation. How is it as to the 
quality of these tezumentary appendages? Upon referring to the table of dimensions of 
eleven varieties of bristle, found in our cabinet of pile, the specimens from Ohio 
measure ,; and 7; of an inch, and consequently are stouter than any that we import; 
and it requires to fracture one inch of one specimen the enormous weight of 35,874 grains. 
It is true that the Ohio bristle is not as long as the French, but it is an indisputable 
fact that the qualities of drzstles may be improved by breeding, as well as the hair and 
wool of Sheep, if proper means are resorted to by our agriculturists; and this, too, with- 
out injuring the quality of the meat. 
We therefore earnestly recommend the improvement of our bristles, feeling perfectly 
certain that our farmers and planters will not find reason to regret taking the advice. 
