THE HUMAN HAIK. 



rpHE deep interest felt in the welfare of the 

 natural covering to the . head is evinced by 

 the expenditure of much time and large sums of 

 money by all classes of people in attempting to pre- 

 serve and adorn it. Upon no subject have we been 

 more frequently requested to express opinions or 

 supply information than upon that of the hair, and 

 the increasing demand for dyes, washes, and " pre- 

 servatives" indicates how wide-spread and well- 

 nigh universal is the interest in the matter. These 

 considerations have led us to make some observa- 

 tions upon the hair, and the substances used to 

 change its tints and improve its condition. 



The adornment of 'the hair, and the forming of 

 it into fantastic shapes, have been practised by 

 women in all ages, and in no direction have the 

 caprices of fashion been more strikingly displayed 

 than in disposing this natural covering of the head. 

 The early Hebrew women gloried in their luxu- 

 riant tresses, plaiting them, and adorning their 

 heads with ornaments of gold, silver, and precious 

 stones. The Greeks allowed their hair to grow to 



