NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
December, 1952 ] G. S. MAHAL, A. JOHNSTON AND R. H. BURNS 309
PREPARATION OF THE SAMPLES AND METHOD OF STUDY
Samples from which representative fibers were taken for the study of surface
scale structure were first scoured by the emulsion method, using soap and soda,
and then rinsed in water. After drying at room temperature, they were given a
bath in carbon tetrachloride.
Hardy and Plitt's [5] thermoplastic film technique was followed for determin-
ing the surface scale structure on the different types of wool. Impressions were
obtained of representative fibers, and photomicrographs were prepared with the
help of a projector with a magnification of 500 × . The following measurable
characters were studied :
1. Form and outline of the scales.
2. Number of scales per 1-in. length of the fiber along one surface.
3. Number of scales per 1-in. length and 100µ width of the fiber, calculated
to facilitate a better comparison of different wools on a standard
basis.
4. Average scale height in different types of wool.
5. Number of scales per 100µ length along the margin of the fiber.
6. Diameter of the fiber (on the photomicrograph).
-
7. Relation of scale height to fiber diameter, S/D, which Hausman [8] desig-
nated as the scale index in his study of fur fibers. The types of scale
outline were classified according to that described by Blyth [1] and
Hausman [8].
The number of scales per unit length of the fiber were counted (from the photo-
micrograph) along one surface of the fiber. The number of scales represented the
number of complete scales plus half the number of fractional scales.
The measurements of scale height and diameter were made with a millimeter
scale on the magnified image. The average scale height was calculated from 10
scales taken at random.
The number of scales per 100µ length along the margin of the fiber, measured
with the help of a millimeter scale, represented the number of scale heights in
50 mm. length along the margin.
The observations are recorded in Appendix Tables I—III.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
The results for the different types of wools are summarized on pages 310 and 311.
The scale outline of the wool fibers varied from coronal to imbricate forms
(Figure 1), depending upon the thickness of the fibers. On hair fibers the reticulate
form of scales was encountered in all cases, with polygonal and flattened types
occurring (Figure 2). In the case of kemp fibers the scale outline was mostly of the
flattened type, except for those for the wool types of European origin, which were
of polygonal form, resembling a honeycomb structure. (See Figures 3-6.)
310
TYPES OF DOMESTIC SHEEP AND WILD LIFE [ Vol. XXII, Part IV
Results for the Wool Type of Sheep, including the undercoat of Wild Life and the Wool
Fibers of mixed Wools
Sheep or wild life type
Fine wools—
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Crossbred—
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Medium wools—
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Long wools—
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Mixed wools—
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Wild life (undercoat)
Big Horn
Deer
Elk
Antelope
All wools—
Average
No. of scales
Per 1-in.
length
2,283
2,400
2,200
2,550
3,400
2,200
2,283
3,200
1,000
1,650
2,700
1,100
1,969
2,700
1,200
2,400
2,800
2,700
2,400
2,108
Per 1-in.
length and
100µ width
15,937
20,000
13,750
11,107
17,000
7,857
9,502
13,000
5,555
4,466
6,750
3,333
11,833
18,333
6,000
20,000
28,000
20,769
18,461
11,696
Average
scale
height
(µ)
13.2
15.3
12.0
12.3
13.8
9.7
13.8
22.0
10.1
24.1
30.0
20.5
14.9
21.4
11.2
12.8
10.1
11.0
14.2
14.85
No. of
scales
along
margin
per 100µ
length
8.3
10
6
8.7
11
6
8
10
4
4.5
5
4
6.8
9.0
4
9
10
10
8
7.2
Diameter
of the
fiber
(µ)
14.6
16.0
12.0
24.0
28.0
20.0
25.8
34.0
18.0
36.5
42.0
30.0
17.3
24.0
12.0
12.0
10.0
13.0
13.0
20.9
Scale index
(scale height/
diameter)
0.906
1.017
0.750
0.518
0.605
0.489
0.572
0.846
0.361
0.086
1.000
0.512
0.893
1.143
0.559
1.066
1.010
0.916
1.092
0.814
Indian J. Vet. Sci., Vol. XXII, Part IV]
Plate XXIII
FIG. 3. Scale type and surface structure of hemp fibres from Asiatic wools. Left to right : 2 from India
and 1 from China. All of fattened type.
FIG. 4. Scale type and surface structure of hemp fibres from 3 Asiatic (Turkey) wools. All of flattened
type. The fiber an the left was cracked in preparation.
Indian J. Vet. Sci., Vol. XXII, Part IV]
Plate XXIV
FIG. 5. Scale type and surface structure of kemp fibres from European wools. Left :
Herdwick. Right : Swaledale. Typical polygonal type resembling a honeycomb is shown.
FIG. 6. Scale type and surface structure of kemp fibres from European wools. Left : Scotch
Blackface. Right : Welsh Mountain. Typical polygonal type resembling a honeycomb
is shown.
December, 1952] G. S. MAHAL, A. JOHNSTON AND R. H. BURUS 311
Results for Types of Fibers, including the Outer Coat of Mixed-Wool Sheep and Wild
Life, such as Kemp Fibers (Hair and Kemp are from Mixed Wools)
Sheep type
Wool—
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Hair—
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Kemp—
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Outer coat of wild life—
Big Horn
Deer
Elk
Antelope
No. of scales
Per 1-in.
length
2,108
3,400
1,000
3,635
5,400
1,800
5,383
7,200
3,500
6,000
11,500
7,600
14,000
Per 1-in.
length and
100µ width
11,696
20,000
3,333
6,001
10,285
3,214
3,664
6,500
2,500
2,143
3,086
1,969
2,661
Average
scale
height
(µ)
14.9
30.0
9.7
22.8
39.5
11.5
18.9
33.9
10.7
24.2
25.7
24.7
21.2
No. of
scales
along
margin
per 100µ
length
7.2
11
4
5.3
9
3
6.8
10
4
5
4
5
5.5
Diameter
of the
fiber
(µ)
20.9
42.0
12.0
62.0
128.0
34.0
162.5
264.0
74.0
280
376
386
526
Scaleindex
(scale hight/
diameter)
0.814
1.143
0.517
0.396
0.538
0.170
0.110
0.207
0.064
0.087
0.068
0.064
0.040
CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION
The following conclusions are evident from the study of surface scale structure
in different types of wools :
1. The scale outline in wool fibers of all types can be classified according to
the forms of scale structure described by Blyth [1] and Hausnian [8]. Serrate and
dentate types of scales among the coronal form, and ovate, acuminate, and elongate,
types of scales among the imbricate form, as described by Hausman [8] on the fur
fibers, were not encountered on wool fibers of any type. It was revealed that the
scale outline is more closely related to the diameter of the fiber than to the breed
or fiber type. Irrespective of the breed or fiber type, the scale type tends to be
annular or coronal (single scale across the width of the fiber) up to a diameter of
20µ. As the diameter increases, the form becomes imbricate (more than one scale
across the width) (Figure 1). In fibers of greater diameter, such as hair and kemp,
the scales show various forms of reticulate and polyhedral structure (Figures 2-6).
The scales are fairly regular in the individual fibers but are not specific for breed
or fiber type. As the diameter of the fiber increases, the scale height decreases and
the form appears to be more flattened than polygonal forms.
December, 1952 ] G. S. MAHAL, A. JOHNSTON AND R. H. BURUS 313
and 100µ width of the fiber was the largest on the undercoat fibers of the deer,
numbering 26,000.
8. It is interesting to note that the scale structure of kemp fibers in the four
mixed-type wools originating in England (Scotch Blackface, Herdwick, Welsh
Mountain, and Swaledale) all showed a similar shape and form—the scales were
hexagonal in shape and were combined in a honeycomb-like structure (Figures 5
and 6). On the other hand, kemp fibers from mixed type of wools from Asiatic
countries all had the flattened and reticulate type of scales (Figures 3 and 4). It
is probable that these special characteristics are related to the origin of domestic
sheep in Europe and Asia. A study of the outer coat of Mouflon, Argali, and Urial
sheep, and of kemp fibers from domestic sheep from these locations is suggested.
SUMMARY
Scale structure and dimensions and fiber thickness were measured on a number
of fibers representing the different fiber types from fleeces of several wild life species,
including the Big Horn sheep, and of fibers from the various wool types of domestic
and primitive sheep, including the fine-wool, medium-wool, long-wool, and mixed-
wool types. The scale index, or relation of scale height to fiber thickness, was
studied as a means of identification of fiber types and as a breed characteristic.
The relationship between scale structure and dimensions in the various animal
textile fibers and the identification of the animals from which the fibers came were
studied,
REFERENCES
1. Blyth, J. S. S., Studies on the Fleece Fibers of British Breeds of Sheep, Z. Tierzücht. und
Züchtungsbiol. 7, 3 (1926)
2. Brevoort, H. L., Fur Fibers as Shown by the Microscope (New York, 1886) ; quoted by
Hardy, J. I., and Plitt M., (ref. [5])
3. Butarin, N. S., A Comparative Study of the Fleece of Wild Sheep and the Kirghiz Fat
Rumped Sheep (in Russian), Trudy Kirgiz. Kompl. Eksp. 4, No. 3, 59-76 (1933-1934)
(English abstract in Anim. Breed. Absts. 4, No. 1, 44 (1936)
4. Hardy, J. I., A Method for Studying the Scale Structure of Medullated and Pigmented
Animal Fibers, J. Text. Inst. 23, T1-5 (1932)
5. Hardy, J. I., and Plitt, M., An Improved Method for Revealing the Surface Structure
of Fur Fibers, Wild Life Circular No. 7, U. S. Dept. of Interior, Washington, U. S. Govt.
Printing Office, 1940
6. Hausman, L. A., A Micrological Investigation of the Hair Structure of Monotremata,
Am. J. Anal. 27, 463-95 (1920)
7. Hausman, L. A., Structural Characteristics of the Hair of Mammals, Am. Naturalist 54,
496-523 (1920)
8. Hausman, L. A., Recent Studies of Hair Structure Relationships, Sci. Monthly 30, 258-77
(1930)
9. Herzog, A., Abdrücke tierischer Wollen und Haare in Harz, Melliand Textilber, 8, 341
(1927)
10. Herzog, A., Microscopic Examination of Fibers : Simple Process for Semi-Imbedding,
Melliand Textilber, 19, 405-7 (1938)
11. Koonz, C. H., and Strandine, E. J., A Rapid and Simplified Method for Revealing the
Surface Pattern of Hair (English translation), Am. Microscop. Soc. 64, 63-4 (1945)
(Abstract in Anim. Breed, Absts. 13, No. 4, 183 (1945)
13
314
TYPES OF DOMESTIC SHEEP AND WILD LIFE [Vol. XXII, Part IV
12. Litterschied, F. M., and Abeler, C., Uber den Bau und die Erkennung von Tierhaaren, mit
besonderer Berucksichtigung der Handelsfelle undpelze (in German), Zool. Jahrb.
Abt. für systematik Geogr. und Biol. der Tiere 50, 377-450 (1925)
13. Lockte, T., " Atlas der menscblichen und tierischen Haare," (German Atlas), Leipzig, P.
Schops, 1938
14. Manby, J., Photomicrographs of Wool Fibers, New Method, J. Text. Inst. 21, T231-6
(1930)
15. Mathews, J. M., " Mathews Textile Fibers," 5th Ed., New York, John Wiley & Sons,
1947, pp. 516-7
16. McMurtrie, W., Report Upon an Examination of Wools and Other Animal Fibers, U. S.
Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., 1886
17. Mirzoeva, E. L., The Variability of Scales on Sheep Wool (in Russian), Trud. turkmensk.-sel.
hoz. Inst. 3, 41-51 (1940) English abstract in Anim. Breed. Absts. 10, No. 3, 166 (1942)
18. Reumuth, H., and Schwerdiner, H., Microscopical Study of Scale Structure of Animal
Fibers, Z. ges. Textil-Ind. (Khepzigs) 39, 612 (1936)
19. Saxinger, G., Eine neue Methode zur untersuchungdes Haarepithels (oberhäutchens), Z,
Tierzucht, und Züchtungsbiol. 5, 379-88 (1925)
20. Skinkle, J. H., The Determination of Wool and Mohair by Scale Size and Diameter, Bull.
Lowell Text. Inst., Series 40, No. 2 (1936-37)
21. Von Bergen, W., and Mauersberger, H. R., " American Wool Handbook," 2nd Ed., New
York, Textile Book Publishers, 1948
22. Wildman, A. B., The Microscopy of Textile Fibers Aids to Their Identification, J. Text.
Inst. 38, T468 (1947)
December, 1952 ] G. S. MAHAL, A. JOHNSTON AND R. H. BURUS 315
APPENDIX
TABLE I
Scale Characteristics and Outline on Wool Fibers
Country of
origin
Wild life—
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
Fine-wool breeds-
Australia
U. S.
U. S.
Medium-wool
breeds—
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
England
England
Type of wool
Big Horn
Deer
Elk
Antelope
Merino
Rambouillet
Rambouillet
Southdown
Hampshire
Hampshire
Shropshire
Suffolk
Suffolk
Cheviot
Cheviot
Dorset Horn
Kerryhill
Kerryhill
Type of fiber
Undercoat
Undercoat
Undercoat
Undercoat
Wool
Fine wool
Strong wool
Wool
Fine wool
Coarse wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Coarse wool
Fine wool
Coarse wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Coarse wool
Scale outline
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Imbricate, crenate
Imbricate, crenate
Annular
Annular
Annular
Imbricate
Imbricate
Imbricate
Annular
Imbricate
No. of
scales
per in.
length
2,400
2,800
2,700
2,400
2,250
2,400
2,200
1,000
2,600
2,200
2,600
2,400
1,800
2,400
2,400
2,600
2,400
3,200
No. of
scales
per in.
length
and
100µ
width
20,000
28,000
20,769
18,461
14,062
20,000
13,750
5,555
11,818
7,333
13,000
12,000
6,000
10,900
7,059
10,000
12,000
11,428
Average
scale
height
(µ)
12.8
10.1
11.0
14.2
15.3
12.2
12.0
14.6
11.4
13.2
11.0
11.6
15.6
12.5
18.0
13.1
12.7
10.1
No. of
scales
along
margin
per 100µ
length
9
10
10
8
6
9
10
6
10
8
9
8
7
8.
6
9
8
10
Thickness
of the
fiber
(µ)
12.0
10.0
13.0
13.0
16.0
12.0
16.0
18.0
22.0
30.0
20.0
20.0
30.0
22.0
34.0
26.0
20.0
28.0
Scale index
(scale
height/
fiber thickness)
1.066
1.010
0.916
1.092
0.956
1.017
0.750
0.811
0.517
0.440
0.550
0.580
0.520
0.570
0.529
0.504
0.635
0.361
316
TYPES OF DOMESTIC SHEEP AND WILD LIFE [ Vol. XXII, Part IV
TABLE I—contd.
Scale Characteristics and Outline on Wool Fibers—contd.
Country of
origin
Long-wool
breeds—
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
England
England
Crossbred breeds-
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
Mixed-wool
breeds—
India
India
India
India
India
India
India
India
India
India
Type of wool
Romney
Lincoln
Leicester
Cotswold
Dartmoor
Wensleydale
Corriedale
Corriedale
Columbia
Bikaner 1
Bikaner 1
Bikaner 2
Bikaner 3
Bikaner 4
Bikaner 5
Bikaner 6
Guzerat
Deccan
Bellary
Type of fiber
Wool
Wool
Wool
Wool
Wool
Wool
Fine wool
Coarse wool
Wool
Fine wool
Coarse wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Scale outline
Imbricate, crenate
Annular
Imbricate
Reticulate
Imbricate
Imbricate
Imbricate, crenate
Imbricate,
flattened
Annular
Annular
Annular
Imbricate, crenate
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
No. of
scales
per in.
length
2,400
1,100
1,400
2,700
1,400
1,800
3,400
2,200
2,200
1,800
1,800
2,000
1,900
1,800
1,800
1,900
1,900
2,000
2,200
No. of
scales
per in.
length
and 100µ
width
8,571
3,666
3,333
6,750
4,117
6,923
17,000
7,857
11,000
11,250
12,500
12.500
10,611
9,000
10,000
13,571
10,555
16,666
15,714
Average
scale
height
(µ)
13.7
30.0
21.6
20.5
24.3
22.0
9.7
13.8
12.1
17.2
18.2
16.8
16.8
16.0
18.0
13.2
14.2
13.3
11.2
No. of
scales
along
margin
per 100µ
length
6
4
5
5
4
4
11
8
10
6.5
6
6
7
5.5
6
8
5
8
8
Thickness
of the
fiber
(µ)
28.0
30.0
42.0
40.0
34.0
26.0
20.0
28.0
20.0
16.0
24.0
16.0
18.0
20.0
18.0
14.0
18.0
12.0
14.0
Scale index
(scale
height/
fiber thickness)
0.480
1.000
0.514
0.512
0.714
0.846
0.485
0.493
0.605
1.075
0.758
1.050
0.933
0.800
1.000
0.943
0.789
1.108
0.800
December, 1952 ] G. S. MAHAL, A. JOHNSTON AND R. H. BURUS
317
TABLE I—concld.
Scale Characteristics and Outline on Wool Fibers—concld.
Country of
origin
India
India
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
Turkey
Turkey
Turkey
Turkey
England
England
England
England
U. S.
Austria
Russia
Russia
Type of wool
Nilgiri
Tibet
Sinning
Eastern Kansu
Sinho
Kokonor
Kansu
Ninghsia
Suiyuan
Yungchang
Akkaraman
Kizil Karaman
Kivircik
Daglic
Blackface
Herdwick
Welsh Mountain
Swaledale
Navajo
Zackel
Voloshian
Donskoi
Type of fiber
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool,
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Fine wool
Scale outline
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Imbricate, crenate
Annular
Annular
Imbricate, crenate
Imbricate, crenate
Annular
Imbricate, crenate
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Annular
Ho. of
scales
per in.
length
2,400
1,800
2,200
1,500
1,800
1,700
1,200
1,700
1,800
2,100
2,400
2,600
1,600
2,700
2,000
1,600
2,400
2,200
2,100
1,900
2,200
2,000
No. of
scales
per in.
length
and 100µ
width
12,000
9,000
18,333
12,500
12,857
10,625
6,000
10,625
13,850
15,000
10,909
13,000
8,000
11,250
10,000
8,888
10,909
10,000
14,000
13,571
10,714
14,285
Average
scale
height
(µ)
12.1
15.6
11.7
17.1
13.5
16.2
21.4
15.5
14.8
12.3
12.4
13.1
15.8
14.3
13.3
18.5
15.0
12.3
12.6
14.8
16.0
14.0
No. of
scales
along
margin
per 100µ
length
8
8
8
6
7.5
6
4
5.5
6
7
8
8
7
7
7
6
6
8
9
7
7
7
Thickness
of the
fiber
(µ)
20 0
20.0
12.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
20.0
16.0
13.0
14.0
22.0
20.0
20.0
24.0
20.0
18.0
22.0
22.0
15.0
14.0
14.0
14.0
Scale index
(scale
height/
fiber thickness)
0.605
0.780
0.975
1.425
0.964
1.012
1.070
0.968
1.057
0.879
0.564
0.655
0.790
0.596
0.665
1.028
0.682
0.559
0.840
1.057
1.143
1.000
318
TYPES OF DOMESTIC SHEEP, AND WILD LIFE [ Vol. XXII, Part IV
TABLE II
Scale Outline and Characteristics on Hair Fibers (Mixed-Wool) Breeds
Country of
origin
India
India
India
India
India
India
India
India
India
India
India
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
Turkey
Turkey
Turkey
Turkey
England
England
England
England
U. S.
Austria
Russia
Russia
Type of wool
Bikaner 1
Bikaner 2
Bikaner 3
Bikaner 4
Bikaner 5
Bikaner 6
Gujerat
Deccan
Bellari
Nilgiri
Tibet
Sinning
Eastern Kansu
Sinho
Kokonor
Kansu
Ninghsia
Sineyuan
Yung Chang
Akkaraman
Kizil Karaman
Kivircik
Daglic
Blackface
Herdwick
Welsh Mountain
Swaledale
Navajo
Zackel
Voloshian
Donskoi
Type of fiber
Heterotype
Hair
Heterotype
Heterotype
Hair
Heterotype
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Heterotype
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
Scale outline
Reticulate
Imbricate, flattened
Reticulate, polyhedral
Imbricate, crenate
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, crenate
Imbricate, flattered
Reticulate, polyhedral
Imbricate, crenate
Reticulare, polyhedral
Imbricate, flattened
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Imbricate, crenate
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Imbricate, flattened
Imbricate, crenate
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
No. of
scales
per in.
length
2,400
3,400
2,200
1,800
4,200
2,000
3,200
4,600
3,400
2,600
3,700
3,500
3,800
3,600
4,800
2,400
1,800
4,000
4,000
4,200
4,200
4,600
5,200
5,400
2,600
5,400
3,200
3,200
4,100
4,400
4,800
No. of
scales
per in.
length
and 100µ
width
6,000
4,473
6,111
3,214
5,250
5,000
7,272
5,750
7,083
7,647
8,809
3,723
5,428
5,806
3,750
4,000
4.500
4,762
5,000
6,562
8,400
7,666
8,125
6,750
5,000
6,750
4,571
7,619
4,881
6,666
10,285
Average
scale
height
(µ)
36.6
17.0
36.4
22.0
25.6
24.4
13.2
24.5
13.3
12.1
11.5
39.5
34.1
26.0
21.8
23.0
25.8
26.4
21.2
17.4
14.3
14.0
21.8
25.3
22.8
20.1
12.2
15.1
34.3
35.5
20.1
No. of
scales
along
margin
per 100µ
length
5.5
7
4
6
4
4.5
7
6
8
6
9
3
4
4.5
5
4.5
4
4
5
6
5.5
7.5
5
5
5
5
8
6
3.5
2.75
5
Thickness
of the
fiber
(µ)
40.0
76.0
36.0
56.0
80.0
40.0
44.0
80.0
48.0
34.0
42.0
94.0
70.0
62.0
128.0
60.0
40.0
84.0
50.0
64.0
50.0
60.0
64.0
80.0
52.0
80.0
70.0
42.0
84.0
66.0
46.0
Scaleindex
(scale
height/
fiber thickness)
0.915
0.224
1.011
0.393
0.320
0.610
0.300
0.306
0.277
0.356
0.274
0.420
0.487
0.419
0.170
0.383
0.645
0.314
0.424
0.272
0.286
0.233
0.341
0.316
0.438
0.251
0.174
0.860
0.408
0.538
0.437
December, 1952 ] G. S. MAHAL, A. JOHNSTON AND R. H. BURUS 319
TABLE
III
Scale Outline and Characteristics on Outer Coat Fibers of Wild Life and Kemp Fibers
of Mixed-Wool Types
Country of
origin
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
U. S.
India
India
India
China
Turkey
Turkey
Turkey
Turkey
England
England
England
England
Type of wool
Big Horn
Deer
Elk
Antelope
Gujerat
Daccan
Bellari
Sinning
Akkaraman
Kizil Karaman
Kivircik
Daglic
Blackface
Herdwick
Welsh Mountain
Swaledale
Type of fiber
Outer coat
Outer coat
Outer coat
Outer coat
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Kemp
Scale outline
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, polyhedral
Reticulate, flattened
Imbricate, flattened
Imbricate, flattened
Imbricate, flattened
Imbricate, flattened
Imbricate, flattened
Imbricate, flattened
Imbricate, flattened
Imbricate, flattened
Reticulate, honeycomb
Reticulate, honeycomb
Reticulate, honeycomb
Reticulate, honeycomb
No. of
scales
per in.
length
6,000
11,600
7,600
14,000
3,500
5,200
4,000
4,200
6,200
4,400
6,000
6,500
7,200
6,000
5,600
5,800
No.of
scales
per in.
length
and 100µ
width
2,143
3,086
1,969
2,661
2,916
3,059
5,405
2,333
3,100
4,888
3,529
6,500
2,727
2,678
2,500
4,328
Average
scale
height
(µ)
27.0
25.3
22.3
19.3
11.7
14.5
10.8
15.9
12.8
13.5
15.0
10.7
31.1
33.9
28.8
27.7
No. of
scales
along
margin
per 100µ
length
5
4
5
5.5
9
9
10
6
6
8
7
9
4
4
5
5
Thickness
of the
fiber
(µ)
280.0
376.0
386.0
526.0
120.0
170.0
74.0
180.0
200.0
90.0
170.0
100.0
264.0
224.0
224.0
134.0
Scale index
(scale
height/
fiber thickness)
0.096
0.067
0.058
0.037
0.097
0.085
0.146
0.088
0.064
0.150
0.088
0.107
0.118
0.151
0.129
0.207
ABSTRACT
Two New Varieties of Australorps. GERICK, A. M. (1950). World's Poultry
Science Journal, 6, 128-132
T HE two new varieties described are : (1) White, (2) Buf. Australorps, popular
as remarkable egg producers, are black in colour. They were developed in
Australia by selective breeding from Black Orpington fowls (Meat type) of England.
In 1931, two of the Black Australorp hens at the Agricultural College, Cape Province,
showed colour changes in the. feathers, and following the first annual moult in 1932,
became pure white in colour (Mutation).
In the following are given the results of experimental matings and close inbreed
ing :—
A Black Australorp Male was mated to two White Australorp Hens in the
parental generation. Seven chicks were hatched and of these one
female was pure white at one year of age. In the following year were
made Mother X Son and Brother X Sister matings. A total of 96
chicks were reared. Five of the female chicks changed colour by a
depigmentation process between 4 to 5 months of age.
In the second filial generation the white variety carried the recessive white
factor giving 3 blacks to 1 white. White males are recommended
for breeding purposes.
The presence of a lethal factor associated with white in male chicks, many of
which died in the shell, has also been discussed.
The standard description of the White Australorp, with the following excep-
tions, is the same as for the Black variety. Plumage, beak, legs, nails
and skin all white, eyes brown or red. The egg production of the
Whites was at par with that of the Blacks. As a table bird the White
Australorp was found superior to the Black variety. It was also
better suited to the hot climate of Africa.
Black Australorps in which a few individuals exhibited red or buff feathers
in the neck and back, were mated to White Australorps to weaken
the black colour and over a period of ten years, buff progeny were
produced. By close inbreeding subsequently, the standard charac-
teristics and economic qualities of the buff variety were improved.—
[S.G.I.].
Mortality of chicks as affected by the floor litter. KENNARD, D. C. AND CHAMBER-
LIN, V. D. (1950). Worlds Poultry Science Journal, 6, 183-187
T HE frequent removal of the floor litter from brooder houses was the customary
sanitary procedure in the control of Coccidiosis. The losses of chicks experienced
from Coccidiosis and other diseases, when the floor litter was removed and renewed
321
14