farmers' miscellany. 87 



, Mr. Randall's No. 1 &, on three trials, supported on an average, 

 62 grains ; or, rather, broke when tried with the weight of 62 

 grains. 



Mr. R. 's No. 1 a, broke with 57.1 grains. 



The fibre from Collins' Grandee, on three trials, supported on 

 m average, 84.6 grains. 



Mr. Smith's specimen of Shoreham, Vt., on three trials, gave an 

 iverage of 67.6 grains. 



Fibres of wool present rather a smooth surface and a cylindrical 

 brm, or a flattened cylindrical form. There are no serratures, as 

 iias been represented, but the fibre is not of an equal diameter 

 hioughout ; it presents also, projections which seem to be owing 

 disease. It is probable that the characters of the best wool 

 ire roundness and equality of diameter, and freedom from the pro- 

 ections here referred to. The fibre is traversed by transverse septa, 

 II divisions, and probably when the wool is growing vigorously, 

 hey are at equal distances. Under the microscope these partitions, 

 l)r septa, are often interrupted, or project only halfway across the 

 lollow part of the fibre. From the experiments which I have 

 Inade on the strength of the fibre, it appears generally, that the fine 

 Ivool is proportionably stronger than the coarse — though I found 

 n some experiments, that the strength was in a direct proportion 

 the size or diameter. Further experiments seem to be required 

 settle conclusively these interesting and important inquiries. 



There seems, however, to be some diversity of opinion as it re- 

 gards the form and structure of a fibre of wool. I have examined 

 jhe fibre often under a microscope, but still I have not yet seen 

 pat sharp, serrated structure, which good felting wool is represent- 

 [d to have. There is no greater difficulty in observations upon 

 Ihe fibre of wool and hair, than any other small object. To give 

 , ou my opinion of the structure and mode of growth, I have only 



> say, that, like all other organized tissues, it is composed of 

 jells ; but in wool, hair, &c., the cells are arranged in a single 

 low, like a string of beads. The newest cell of the root or bulb 



ushes out the hair — or in other words, it grows at the base. 



'liese cells have a slight conical shape — the lowest one jutting 



ver or inclosing the base of the one next above. This gives in 



nne cases a ringed appearance. The rings, too, in many cases, 



^ those of a hair, for instance, resemble those on the horn of a 



