88 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



sheep. These rings are farther apart or sharper, or are bettei 

 defined in fine furred animals, such as the otter and beaver, than ir 

 the wool of sheep. 



In concluding this letter, let me suggest a practical and no 

 difficult method of registering wool: Let a wool-grower deter 

 mine with the microscope (using always a given power,) the diame 

 ter, structure and form, of the fibre of the wool, from the standan 

 parts of the fleece. This would require not more than three o 

 four specimens. These are to be drawn on a card of a convenien 

 size, in the mode I have represented in the wood cut. To this, le 

 small locks or specimens of the wool from those parts be perma 

 nently attached ; let as many samples as the breeder or avogI 

 grower wishes, be treated in this way ; or fill up the card. Jt i 

 easy to see that when this is done, it gives a permanent c 

 durable record of the fineness and other qualities of the wool ( 

 every sheep whose fleece is thus registered. All the change , 

 which may take place in the offspring, or in subsequent breeding | 

 may be immediately determined by the microscope. What woul 

 still add to the value of such a mode of representation, the cai 

 or plate can be put on copper, and multiplied indefiniteh 

 Friends, manufacturers, wool-growers, &c., might in this way \ 

 supplied with the best kind of registers of the flocks in this coui, 

 try. The person, to be sure, would have to attach a small lock tj 

 the wool to each sample of the measured fibre ; but this might || 

 done in a few moments. The great utility of this method, is tl 

 certainty of the results. We may, to be sure, judge of fineni 

 by the eye, and determine with a low degree of satisfaction, oihi 

 properties also. But men after all, will diff'er • your eye will 

 probably fit into the socket of my own ; and then when you 

 guage a thing as a cask of liquor, what's the use of guessing? 

 us then have the wool guaged and registered, and not go throug! 

 the world guessing and guessing, and after all, never fully satisfid j_^ , 



I am, yours, &c., 



E. 



Mbany, June 25, 1845. 



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