Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-09-08
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Such apprehend to be the process of ma
tire. and that this entire cessation OF the
accustomed secretions occasions the disease
which we call the mault. THIS is probably
asp.cies of fever. The bird loses Its cheer
fulness anu relish for food, and is seized
with sudden shiverings. The disease con-
tinues until the old feathers fall off, when the
secrstions are again renewed, by which the
bird is restored to health and acquires re-
novated ptumaSe.
Hair is as fully and perfectly formed after
it leaves the skin asthe Extremity OF the fca.
Their in its most mature state it appears to
grow merely bv the addition OF new hair at
the bottom, which protrudes it forward. On
the contrary, feathers, and all bodies which
grow and increase from interior circulation,
not only grow from the upper part, but con-
tinue to enlarge in every dimension until they
are full grown. The difference between the
Growth from the top and sides of the feather
and the elongation by mere juxta position at
sthe bottom of the hair, appears to me clearly
TO indicate the different modes OF their for
NATION. 1t may tend to confirm the opinion
have advanced respecting the structure OF
hair dwool, that hair is frequently observ-
ed 70 split at its points into different hbres ;
division has also sometimes been seen in the
hair of wool. This seems to prove that they
are formed by number of distinct long fila
ments uniting in one thread or hair as have
described. 1t is not, however, on hypothe-
tical reasoning. that | rest the proof Of this o.
pinion. have ascertained its truth in some
instances, by an examination OF the hair of
different animals, both with the single and
compound microscope. In large hairs have
discerned a number of divisions from the
root 10 the point. In one hair distinctly
perceived fifteen of these divisions or fbres
laying parallel to each other, and in some Of
the fbres further subdivision was distin-
guishable. Probably these subdivisions were
each composed of others still smaller, which
the limited power of our instruments NAV
prevent us from discovering. If such be the
structure of the hair of some animals, it is at
leas, probable the hair of all others may have
q similar confirmation although the fbres
Of which they are composed may be too
minute, or adhere too firmly together, to adj
init us to separate or distinguish them. 1t
were almost needless TO add. that wool,
whatever NAV be its peculiar qualities, is still
the hair of sheep, and must be formed by a
process OF the animal economy similar to
what produces the hair of all other qua:
drupeds. | might offer as farther confirm
alton ofwha: has been here advanced, that i
may be fairly inferred that wool and hair
remaining long after they are separated from
the skin without any perceptible change, thai
they have not been deprived oil any secre
tions from the circulating fluids by this Sc
peration.
Whether wool be composed of tubes ane
vessels receiving increase by constant circu
lation and secretion Of fluids from the AMI
NAL, or whether, like the silk-worm's web
1t be solid unorganized thread, composed
Of finer 6lamenss, may appear question
more curious than important. But if th'
latter opinion be well founded, which boil
deductions from analogy and the minutes
microscopical researches render probable, j
viii lead to consequences OF considerable
practicable utility, and teach US to bestoy
more care and attention on the unshorl
fleece. Nature, when she produces wool
provides for it, and covers it with an oil
secretion, or yolk, and thus intimates tina