20 TRICHOLOGIA MAMMALTCM: 



Dr. Gross (in Elem. Path, and Anat., p. 327,) assures us that on the African Lion he 

 has traced filaments of the fifth pair of nerves to the bulbs (follicles) of whiskers. 

 Rtidolphi had previously announced the same discovery in regard to the whiskers of the 

 Seal; and, at a still earlier period, Gaultier had asserted that these tegumentary append- 

 ages were supplied with vessels and nerves. Besides which, Malpighi found blood in 

 the long hairs drawn from the lip of the horse, and Gurlt discovered the same fluid 

 between the follicle and sheath of a moustache, (but of what animal, or under what 

 circumstances, he has not informed us.) 



And lastly, Eble considers the whiskers as the most perfect hair. 



Mr. Broughton made some experiments with a kitten, who, while blind-folded, could 

 thread her way out of a labyrinth by means of her whiskers, but, when deprived of those 

 tegumentary appendages, was unable to do so. 



OF THE WHISKERS OF THE RABBIT. Examination and Description of the Whiskers of 

 the Rabbit. Specimen, common Rabbit, found wild near Philadelphia. 



Length, from 1^ to 2 inches; diameter, J^ of an inch. Shape, shaft cylindrical, gradually 

 tapering to a very fine point; direction, undulated. The shaft, (with its sheath,) descend- 

 ing to the posterior extremity of the interior of the follicle, where it either ends abruptly, 

 or swells slightly, and again contracts, with a fibrous appearance. Fibres intermediate; 

 a central canal; no button. The fibres, upon being ruptured, evince great elasticity, 

 contracting and spreading outward. Transverse sections or disks, taken from the portion 

 of the shaft covered with the sheath, show a central canal, in which are specks of a blood- 

 red color; immediately anterior to the sheath is a canal, containing a substance which is 

 either white or slightly colored red; anterior, still, to this point, is a void canal, and near 

 the apex are white rings. The white matter is cubic or cuneiform. 



Sheath, length, JQ of an inch; when dry, closely adhering to the shaft, but separating 

 from it easily after a slight maceration. Color, white, or slightly stained red. 



Follicle, length, -|$ of an inch; diameter, g%th; color, red; shape, turbinate. 



Vessels are seen projecting from the exterior of the posterior extremity of the follicle, 

 immediately beneath the perforation of the shaft. 



Ductility, Elasticity and Tenacity. One inch of a whisker, with 2270 grains, was 

 deprived of its undulation only. With 7770 grains, it stretched ^ 2 6 ths of an inch, and 

 broke. Fracture the cortex was ruptured, and fibres projected from one portion. Three 

 transverse dark marks, and one white, longitudinal furrow on the cortex. A portion of 

 the follicle was bleached, when the vessels pending from its lower extremity were plainly 

 seen. 



OF THE WHISKERS OF THE IRISH HARE. Examination and Description of the Whiskers 

 of the Irish Hare. (Lepus Hibernicus.) June 16, 1849. Specimen in the Academy of 

 Nat. Sci. of Phila. 



Length, 3 inches and T Vhs; greatest diameter, y i u of an inch; gradual tapering to a 

 point. 



