TRICIIOLOQIA MAMMALIUM; 



Fig. 58. 



In this figure, A, B and C, represent, respectively, the cylindrical, the oval, and the 

 eccentrically elliptical, as in the previous one. "a," marks a line half way between the 

 cylinder and the oval. The pile belonging to this space, called " cylindroidal" have a 

 form where one diameter exceeds the other by less than |. All pile belonging to the 

 other half of the distance between the cylinder and the oval, viz : whose greatest diameter 

 exceeds that of its smallest ^, but does not reach the f, are called the "lesser ovoidal.'''' 

 " b," marks a line equi-distant between the oval and the eccentrically elliptical. All pile 

 on the oval side of this line, having its greatest diameter more than f of its smallest, but 

 less than f, we call "greater ovoidal ;" and all pile on the other side of that line, where the 

 greatest diameter exceeds its smallest by more than f , but by less than |, we call eccentrically 

 elliptoidal. These dimensions have been explained, because they include all those known 

 to belong to the hair of the human head. For practical purposes, it is not often necessary 

 to regard any more than the three general forms; throwing the " oidals" into the classes 

 from which they are derived. 



To whom they belong. The next step is to show to whom piles of these dimensions 

 belong. 



A is a representation of the shape of a hair of the head of a full-blood Choctaw Indian 

 of 60 years of age, specimen presented by Dr. Nott, of Mobile. The original is black, 

 straight, lank, and has a diameter of ^{ T of an inch. 



B is a representation of the shape of a hair of the head of his Excellency General 

 George Washington ; the original is colorless and flowing, and has for its greatest diameter 

 -{2, and its least, %%-$ of an inch. 



C is a representation of the shape of a filament of wool of the head of a pure negro; the 

 original is black, crisped and frizzled and spirally curled, and has for its greatest diameter 

 3-| , and for its least, ^^ of an inch. 



The principal reason why hairs have been misrepresented in regard to shape, is the diffi- 

 culty of ascertaining it in the way they have hitherto been examined. A hair is placed 

 horizontally between two pieces of glass and examined under the microscope; bxit it is 

 exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to determine whether it is cylindrical or oval. 

 Even if it is found that the diameters, in different parts, differ, you are at a loss to attribute 

 this discrepancy to the shaft being oval or to tapering. But we have a machine with 



