TKICHOLOGIA MA.MMAL1OI : 



becomes lighter, ending in considerable loss. When wool has been long kept a dust may 

 be shaken from it. This is probably the decomposed yolk. 



Kraft,* (in Nov. Com. Petrop., v. 2, p. 24,) says that hairs lengthen after they are 

 detached from the body. We know nothing of this phenomenon. (See Meckel, Man. 

 of Anat,, v. 1, p. 320.) 



* Having understood that Dr. Coates had seen some hair grown after death, we wrote to him upon the subject, and 

 subjoin his answer: 



PHILADELPHIA, November 13th, 1851. 



Dear Sir: I have received your polite favor respecting instances of hair growing on anatomical preparations while pre- 

 served in spirits. I can hardly believe that this phenomenon is very rare. The specimen to which I referred Dr. Chaloner, 

 was a tumour removed by Dr. Physick, at an early period of his practice, from behind and below the angle of the jaw of a 

 man, with ultimate success. Part of the patient's whiskers had grown from the portion of the skin which was removed. 

 The case is in the Hospital Case Book, with a drawing ; and, I think, was published in the journals of the day. In such 

 cases, hair was uniformly shaved off before making the incisions; and I remember, in addition, hearing my father say that 

 he saw this operation, and that it was done so in this instance. The hair, in the glass jar of spirits, when I saw it, appears 

 to iny recollection, above 1 J inches long, probably nearer 2 inches ; all which had grown in the spirits. 



I believe that the specimen is now in the Museum of the University. Dr. Leidy* has the control of that institution, and 

 will, I am sure, be glad to show it to you. I should suppose that the hair ought now to be much longer. 



I am, very respectfully and sincerely yours, &c., &e., 



To P. A. BROW .NE, Esq. B. II. COATES. 



* Dr. Leidy wus unable to find this speciiuem. 



