MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 16 



Fig. 31. Branched Hairs of the Great Mullein (Verbascum 

 Thapsus), x60. 



It will be perceived from the drawing that this is another 

 example of compound hairs. In this case they take the form 

 of a hair branched at the joints in an irregular manner. 

 The large number of hairs on the Mullein is rather remark- 

 able, its leaves being quite woolly with them. This plant is 

 very common in some counties, more especially where the 

 soil is of a sandy or chalky character. 



These hairs are best mounted in liquid. 



Fig. 32. Cotton-fibre from Seed (Gossypium herbaceum), 



x240. 



These hairs, or fibres, have been drawn to illustrate the 

 difference between the various kinds of vegetable textile 

 fabrics, but more especially to show the difference between 

 cotton-fibre and the liber-fibre of jute (see fig. 19) the 

 cotton hairs appearing like a long flat band, or ribbon, while 

 the liber-cells, or fibres, of the jute are cylindrical and 

 pointed. To distinguish vegetable from animal fabrics, such 

 as wool, they may be boiled in a test-tube with liquor 

 potassae, when the animal hairs will be dissolved, and the 

 vegetable, such as cotton &c., will remain nearly intact. 



This fibre may be mounted dry or in liquid, and in Canada 

 balsam when wanted for the polariscope. 



