TRICIIOLOOIA MAMMALIUM: 



and Schlegel, have been advocates of this opinion. This tegumentary appendage (they 

 say) acts as a universal purifier of the humors ; disencumbering the body from a variety 

 of matters, which are of no use, and which, therefore, are likely to become injurious. 

 Haller and Schlegel contend that it transpires by its superior extremity, if not by its 

 whole cortex. The bulb (follicle) is represented as secreting, besides the substance which 

 forms the stalk, a particular humor, which circulates through its fibres, and exhales 

 between its scales ; and the opinion is ventured that the more a person perspires the 

 shorter will be his hair, and vice versa. This rule, if true, ought (all other things being 

 equal) to make the inhabitants of warm countries have the shortest, and those of cold 

 countries have the longest hair. But the whole of this theory is doubted,* and does not 

 seem to be confirmed by experience. 



OF THE USES OF PILE IN MANUFACTURES AND THE ARTS. Of the uses of Hair. Human 

 hair, taken from the heads of persons slain in battle, is made a considerable object of com- 

 merce and profit, being used to mamifacture wigs, scratches, toupees, curls, &c., &c., to 

 adorn the living. 



The hair of some of the lower animals, such as the Horse, Ox, &c., is used to increase 

 the tenacity of plastering mortar. 



The hair of the tail and mane of the Horse has long been woven into a cloth, exten- 

 sively ust'd in covering sofas and chairs; it is called "hair-cloth.' 7 It is also used for 

 making sieves, &c. The hair of the Horse and of Hogs is, moreover, used for stuffing 

 cushions of all kinds, and is preferable to moss, which, when it becomes old, falls into a 

 powder, and penetrating the covering, soils the exterior of the cushion. But of all hair, 

 that of the hairy Sheep is the most valuable, being admirably adapted, on account of its 

 not possessing the shrinking property, to manufacture flannels, hose, blankets, &c., &c. 

 (See Chapter IX.) 



The skins of some of the lower animals are tanned with the hair on, or the hair and 

 wool on, and the fur is taken from others for making pelts. t 



The following are among those in common use in this country: The Buffalo, the Bear, 

 the Leopard, the Dog, the Raccoon, the Badger, the Glutton, the Skunk, the Polecat, the 

 Fitch or Ferret, the Weasel, the Ermine, the Marten, the Sable, the Mink, the Otter, the 

 Beaver, the Wolf, the Fox, the Jackal, the Jenet, the Tiger, the Panther, the Lynx, the 

 Cat, the Seal, the Squirrel, the Rabbit, the Hare, the Chinchilli, the Possum, the Kan- 

 garoo, the Stag, the Elk, the Antelope, the Sheep, the Goat, &c., &c. Of all these we 

 have specimens in our cabinet, and design to examine and describe them in their appro- 

 priate places. 



In some countries, by a moderate degree of labor, the skins of Lambs which are intended 

 for slaughter are converted into a splendid fabric, which commands a high price. As soon 



* See Diet, des Sci. Med. v. 43, p. 275 and 502. 



f The vrortipelt, from the Saxon, (where it means simply a hide or skin,) is used to designate skins of the lower animals, 

 that are tanned with the hair on or the fur on, for the purpose of being manufactured into muffs, tippets, &e., and for lining 

 and trimming garments worn in cold countries. Those who deal in them are called pelterers and furriers. 



