34G INTEGUMENTS. 



than any other part; it is received into a follicle, compared ap- 

 propriately by Malpighi to the vase containing a flower or plant, 

 and which is deposited most commonly in the subcutaneous cel- 

 lular substance, but sometimes in the skin itself. This follicle 

 is of an oblong ovoidal shape; its open orifice is continuous 

 with the surface of the body, while its internal end is closed, 

 and has some filaments passing from it to the adjacent cellular 

 substance. It is formed of two membranes; the external is 

 white, strong, and continuous with the derm or cutis vera; the 

 second being within the last, is more soft, delicate, and vascu- 

 lar, and seems to be a continuation of the rete mucosum. From 

 the bottom of the cavity of the follicle, a small conoidal papilla 

 erects itself towards the orifice. This papilla is vascular, and 

 from the dissections of M, Beclard, on the human subject, and 

 of M. Rudolphi, on the mustachios of seals, is furnished with 

 nerves. The mode of approach of its vessels is not yet settled. 

 M. Gaultier says that the arteries pass from the surface of the 

 skin into the orifice of the follicle, and then descend, in a ser- 

 pentine manner, between its two membranes to the bottom.* 

 M. Bdclard, on the contrary, considers them to pass through 

 the bottom of the follicle. Each piliferous follicle is, moreover, 

 furnished, within its orifice, with many small sebaceous follicles 

 arranged round it. 



The bulb of the hair has in it a conoidal cavity, open at its 

 base, and receiving the conoidal papilla of the follicle.f The 

 hair receives its nourishment from the papilla. The hair is 

 moreover attached to the skin by the cuticle ; for the latter 

 having reached the orifice of the follicle is then reflected for 

 some distance along the hair: this increases the strength of the 

 attachment of the hair to the skin. 



The stalk of a hair has generally the loose extremity smaller 

 than any other part, and frequently split. When examined with 

 a microscope the stalk appears to consist of two substances, one 

 within the other. The exterior is a diaphanous sheath almost 

 colourless, and, from having the properties of the epidermis, 

 may be a continuation of it. The interior consists of from five 



J. Cloquet, Anat. de 1'Homme, Pi, CXVIH. fig. II, 



t Gaultier, see Cloquet, loc, cit, 



