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THE SCIENCE OF LIFE. 



formed on a vascular papilla at the bottom of a pit, or 

 follicle. They are composed, like hair, of epithelial cells. 

 Each feather consists of a quill, or barrel, and a vane, or 

 beard, which is composed of barbs and barbules. The 



FIG. 154. A. Ear coverts. B. Bastard wing. C. D. E. Wing coverts. F. Primaries. 

 G. Scapulars. H. Secondaries. L. Tail coverts. 



barbules, from contiguous barbs, hook into each other 

 like the latch of a door into its catch, so as to present an 

 even and resisting surface to the air. Feathers receive 

 different names on different parts of the bird's body. 

 The feathers clothing the body are called clothing feath- 



