80 FIRESIDE SCIENCE. 



The frequent use of " oils," " bear's-grease," 

 " arctusine," " pomades," " lustrals," " rosemary 

 washes," etc., etc., upon the hair, is a practice not 

 to be commended. All of these oils and greasy po- 

 mades are manufactured from lard-oil and simple 

 lard. No " bear's-grease " is ever used. If it could 

 be procured readily, it should not be applied to the 

 hair, as it is the most rank and filthy of all the 

 animal fats. There are many persons whose hair is 

 naturally dry and crisp, and in most families there is 

 a want of some innocent and agreeable wash or 

 dressing which may be used moderately and judi- 

 ciously. The mixture which may be regarded as 

 the most agreeable, cleanly, and safe, is composed 

 of cologne spirit and pure castor-oil. The follow- 

 ing is a good formula : 



Pure, fresh castor-oil, 2 oz. 

 Cologne spirit (95 per cent.), 16 oz. 



The oil is freely dissolved in the spirit, and the 

 solution is clear and beautiful. It may be perfumed 

 in any way to suit the fancy of the purchaser. 

 The oil of the castor-bean has for many years been 

 employed to dress the hair, among both savage 

 and civilized nations, and it possesses properties 

 which admirably adapt it to this use. It does not 

 rapidly dry, and no gummy, offensive residuum re- 

 mains after taking on the chemical changes which 

 occur in all oils upon exposure to light and air. It 



