NATtTRAL HISTORY. 185 



into one solid mass, which you cannot easily 

 pull to pieces. Besides, you must remember 

 that the hairs will work only one way, as you 

 found out just now when your finger ends 

 caught upon the little joints and moved them 

 along. Now, suppose that a very large heap 

 of hairs, or wool, or fur, after it is made ready, 

 should be put upon a table, and covered with 

 a linen cloth, and pressed down in different 

 directions. Each hair would begin to move 

 in the direction of its root, just as it did be- 

 tween your fingers, and so all would be joined 

 together at last into one soli piece." 



" We understand you, Uncle Philip." 



" Then you understand, boys, the way in 

 which a hat is made. These hairs are all 

 worked together by the hands of the hat- 

 maker, and to make them work more easily 

 (for curled hair, such as wool, do&s not move 

 easily) the hatter uses hot water, and dips his 

 hat in it while he is working it. After it is 

 done, it is died, and then put upon a wooden 

 block to give it shape, and is ironed smooth." 



" And this is the way, then, Uncle Philip, 

 to make hats : it is curious, is it not ? M 



" Yes, boys ; but plain enough when you 

 come to examine into it. And the best stuff 



