86 



QUARTERLY JOURNAL 



excellent Chevalier's compound microscope. The comparison is 

 both absolute and relative ; but it is highly interesting to see the 

 perceptible difference between the different fibres of wool. The 

 microscope also reveals other differences ; some of the fibres appear- 

 ed rather uneven, or flattened, and destitute of a clear and distinct 

 pith or tube ; and in fact I may remark, that the microscope is 

 really the best method of testing the real quality of wool. Bji 

 this instrument I shall be able, at any time to make other experi 

 ments which may serve as standards of fineness. 



No. 1, Mr. Randall's ; No. 1 a, fibre of Mr. Randalls' prize Paular Merino bui 

 No. 1 h, fibre from one of Mr. Randall's fleeces ; No. 2 and 2 a, fibres from Mr. 

 Adams' wool; No. 4, Remilles' wool, Shoreham, Vt. ; No. 5, fibre of S. O. Eurchard 

 fine wool, Shoreham; No. 3, fibre of Charles L. Smith's wool, Shoreham; No. 

 fibre from Collins' Grandee. The last five were token from wool left at the Ciiltivati 

 office. In all the fibres examined, there is a very great uniformity in the parcel 

 only slight dififerences, in fact, could be detected inthe several diameters. No.7shov 

 the structure of wool as seen under tlie microscope. In the corner is the scale 

 measurement. The finest fibre, as magnified in this cut, is equal to about eighte« 

 hundredths of an inch in diameter. 



Another inquiry equally important with the preceding, came u 

 in this place: What is the strength of a single fibre of wool, an 

 is the coarser comparatively stronger than the fine 1 I set aboi 

 answering those inciuirics at once, and now give you the resu 

 below: 



