130 
HAIR BALLS IN THE COW AND ANTELOPE. 
By R. H . Holloway, V.S., 2d Light Cavalry. 
Gentlemen, — Within the last few days a small concre- 
tion, irregularly spheroid in form, was presented to me, as 
having been found in the large intestines of a cow. It had 
probably found its way there from the rumen. It possessed 
an external covering of the phosphates, was of a light brown 
colour, and in parts highly polished. 
Upon making a section through the specimen, it was found 
to consist of a number of very regular concentric layers of 
hair matted together by means of earthy matters and mucus. 
Its weight was rather more than two ounces avoirdupois ; 
length inches, and diameter If inches. 
The same animal was stated to have had a diseased heart ; 
but of what nature, or the real cause of her death, I have 
not been able to gain any satisfactory information. 
Rather a singular instance of a collection of hair balls 
occurred some time since in a tame antelope belonging to 
one of the troopers in the Horse Artillery, now at this sta- 
tion; and which died in consequence of them. No less than 
forty-six of these bodies, averaging about the size of a large 
horse chestnut, were found in its stomach. They were en- 
tirely spherical, and each had a thin phosphatic covering ; one 
out of the number being very highly and beautifully polished. 
Mr. Blaine writes, when adverting to these concretions, 
“ they are said to be particularly frequent in the chamois 
goat, are called oegagropila ; and in times of superstition and 
ignorance, these particularly were used in medicine as a 
species of bezoar.” 
The light of the nineteenth century has not yet proved 
sufficiently brilliant entirely to dissipate these original ideas, 
for the owner of this antelope, together with some others who 
were present during the time the post-mortem examination 
was being instituted, expressed his thoughts that the highly 
polished hair ball was a medicinal done , possessed of some 
marvellously curative properties ! 
I remain, gentlemen, 
Yours faithfully. 
Jaulnak; Dec. 10M, 1855. 
