1 48 TRICHOLOG I A M A M M A 1 , II M 



South America. He is as tall as a Deer, and his covering is chestnut color, and coarse ; 

 but the Paca or Alpaca is domesticated, and his covering (it is said) is composed of a 

 woolly hair,* which is very long, and which, for fineness and elasticity, ranks next to the 

 most beautiful wool of the Goats of Thibet. (Elem. de Zool., 435.) 

 We have seen none of this fleece. 



OF STAPLE. When specimens of wool, especially of the Merino and Saxony Merino 

 are examined, it is perceived that the filaments do not hang independently, side by side, 

 as do hairs in a lock ; but that certain of them unite at their anterior extremities, forming 

 tufts ; and these tufts are again partially united, forming locks. With a pair of tweezers 

 and under a magnifying glass, we separated these filaments of a lock, one by one, thus 

 ascertaining that each was distinct. In not a single instance did we discover that 

 " branching from the main trunk like boughs from the principal stem,'" described by some 

 observers. (See Lib. of Usf. Know., 6, 5.) These tufts and locks are what Mr. Fleish- 

 man calls " the staple." (See Report of the Commis'r. of Patents, 1847, p. 271.) Above the 

 junction, the filaments have somewhat the appearance of **web, but, upon close examina- 

 tion, it is found to be a tangling of the filaments only; which is owing, probably, to the 

 spiral curls. The terminations of these tufts have been the subject of examination and 

 animadversion, and the result may be seen by referring to the book and page last cited. 



Dr. lire remarks, that the best length of staple, for cloth, is from two to three inches. 

 But Merino Saxony wool has from four to five, and is in high estimation. (Philos. of 

 Manf., p. 129.) 



Of Stapling. The "middle man," between the breeder and the manufacturer, whose 

 business it is to assort the wool, is called the wool-stapler. ,"f 



Formerly, all wools were distinguished into fine and coarse, these (which are at best 

 vague and indefinite; terms) become more so when it is recollected that often fine fleeces 

 have some coarse filaments, and coarse fleeces some fine ones. Wool is now divided 

 according to the following: 1, fine; 2, pure; 3, straight; 4, elasticity; 5, staple; G, 

 color ; 7, mixture of coarse and fine ; 8, tenacity; 9, freedom from stains. 



Nicholson (in Dictionary of Chem., title Wool,) says that simple inspection may easily 

 lead to error in wool stapling, and recommends the use of the microscope and michrometer ; 

 but a good microscope costs a large sum of money, and when possessed, requires some 

 practice before it can be used with success. The stapler, being familiar with the qualities 

 of fleece, with an accuracy which requires a delicate sense of touch, a quick eye and long 

 training and experience, divides the fleece into nine parcels : the picklock, the prime, 

 the choice, the super, the head, the downright, the seconds, the abb, and the livery .\ 

 But the breeder and manufacturer ought, also, to have at least a moderate knowledge of 



* This is a very vague. description ! 



t Staple, (Staple Belg.,) originally signified a public place or market whore goods were exposed for sale. " Staple com- 

 modities," are those upon vrhich a country chiefly depends. Wool was one of the staple commodities of England, and hence 

 lie who assorted it for market was called " a wool-stapler." 



I In Spain the Merino wool is separated into four parcels only. (Sec Lib. Usf. Know., p. 154.) 



