THE STRUCTURE OF A FEATHER 



265 



the base of the quill ; these, in accordance with 

 ordinary anatomical nomenclature, may be called 

 \heproximal barbules. The other set points towards 

 the tip of the quill and will be the distal barbules. 



FIG. 64. Two barbules of a feather. The left-hand one points owards the base of 

 the feather (proximal barbule), while the right-hand one points towards the 

 - tip (distal barbule). The distal barbule bears the hooks. 



The distal barbules of every barb overlie the proxi- 

 mal ones of the next barb, crossing several of them 

 obliquely. The proximal barbules have the outer 

 edge turned over at a right angle towards the barb 



