92 TRICIIOLOGIA MAMMALIUM; 



OF DYEING PILE. It is reasonable to suppose that, in the process of dyeing, the color- 

 ing matter enters between the scales of pile, and if this be the case, that wool, owing to ihe 

 scales being more open, will take the dye with greater facility and in greater abundance 

 than hair. 



It is also probable, for a similar reason, that wool in the natural state, will take the dye 

 more effectually than it will after it has been felted or fulled. This may be the reason 

 why "dyeing in grain," as it is termed, is preferred. Among a collection of pile speci- 

 mens, presented by H. C. Merriam, Esq., are some denominated " Black Sea wool," to 

 Avliich is attached a memorandum that it will not take colors. It is in three parcels, white, 

 black and mixed; the first, when a transverse section is viewed under the microscope, shows 

 two varieties, viz : an oval or an eccentrically elliptical shape, with an external white 

 line, then a dark line and a centre of white fibrous substance; 2d, a cylinder with a white 

 line enclosing a dark one, and a white fibrous centre ; diameters. -%\-Q by ^^ and {^ by 

 5 |^. The 2d parcel is cylindrical, or an ellipse slightly concave on its flats sides; colors 

 the same as above, or black with a white centre; diameter, 7 -jj- r . The 3d parcel cylindrical, 

 white or black external outline comparatively large, black intermediate substance with a 

 minute white centre; diameter, g| 7 . 



