The Osceola times., 1880-11-20

was calculated tnat, lnasmuCn as inc
military force of England and the colon
les was then about 25O,0O0, each man
used pound of flour week for powder
ing the hair. This would give 6,50O tons
per annum, an amount that would sEs-
tain 10000 persons on bread Gold and
silver powder was also used. Josephus
relates that Solomon's horse guards daily
covered their heads with gold dust,
which glittered in the sun, and there are
several instances recorded in the Bible
of silver powder being used. The an
cient Greeks were very partial TO long
hair. considering it very becoming, while
the Egyptians regarded it as an incum-
brance and had their heads shaved.
They preferred wigs to natural hair,
The ancients, generally speaking, strange
ly considered a fine head of hair so de-
sirable that il became almost sacred with
them. They frequently dedicated il to
the gods on important occasions, such as
marriage, victory or escaping from any
great danger, and the burial of particular
| friends.
Hair contains very small quantity of
water manganese, Iron and various
salts of lime have been found by the
various methods of amalgamation. 1t is
owing to this that hair is peculiarly in
destructible. 1t has been found on
mummies more than twenty centuries
old in perfect order and not by any
means rotten.
During the past few years there has
been gradual decline of human hair of
the finer texture. Now there is glut In
the market of cheap hair, and where at
| tha ,-a1tta of human hair
ported to this country would amount to
| $4,000, 600, 1t does not exceed Si,000,0O0.
A large portion of hair comes from Paris
direct. 1t is obtained il. various ways,
as before stated. Ii is generally collect
ed by agents, who scour the country
towns and villages as peddlars and ex-
change their goods for an attractive head
of hair. rhey then sell it to the larger
dealers; while the small dealers also col
lect the hair in parcels, and they in
turn sell it to the exporters. White and
blonde hair is the most expensive, as it
is scarce, particularly if the color of the
latter is good. White hair brings from
IS to 500 an ounce, the short hair being
used for ladies' and gentlemens wigs.
The long hair is used for switches and
chignons, and is more valuable than
gold. The average hair is from 26 TO 36
inches long, and is made into curls,
coquette and Saratoga waves. Yak hair
undergoes process of refinement, and
is sold for human hair. Few persons
can tell the difference, although it costs
very little. 1t can be bought for forty
or fifty cents per pound, manufactured.
| Graveyards and hospitals are made to
supply hair, which sells for moderate
price. A large quantity OF hair is also
collected from various prisons on the
continent. Italy and Naples give large
quantities OF what is known as comb
ings." This is mixed with Chinese hair,
a arge portion of which is sent to this
country. The Chinese hair is mostly
used for switches on account of its
length, and after being bleached cannot
be told from ordinary womens hair,
This is sold from fifty cents to 81 per
pound, whereas ordinary hair would sell
from IS TO $50 and 500 per pound. A
great deal of this cheap hair is worn by
ladies who do not care about paying
high prices, but they little know where
the hair comes from and under what
circumstances, or whether it Is grave
yard or hospital hair.
The amount paid for entry at the Gus
tom house on imported hair of diileIent
kinds for 1878 was Slj0,5Sl; for 1879,
1923 s34, and for this year, up to July
last, Sl63,676.
1t is expected that the amount paid for
duty this year will be less than last year.
although the quantity of hair imported
may be larger, by reason of its chcapness
and its being imported in raw state.