The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-09

HAcn was white, turned to green
 color. Chemical analysis showed that the hair contained quantity of acetate of copper, and it is to this circumstance that the mans hair owed it's beautiful green color, which was most singular and remarkable. The practice of wear ! ing false hair is many hundred years old. The Greek and Roman ladies were, in olden times, as active at their toilet for the head as the fashionable ladies of the present day. Most of the hair at that time was obtained from the Germans, and they in turn from their slaves. Powdering the hair is not so much in
 vogue in this country as it is Tn Europe.
 History tells us that the consumption of
 hair powder by the ladies of George the seconds time was simply enormous. +
 was calculated that, inasmuch as the
 military force of England and the colon les was then about 250,000, each man used pound of flour a week for powder ing the hair. This would give $500 tons per annum. an amount that would sus- tain 3O,O00 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 ill the sun, and there are several instances recorded in the Bible of silver powder being used. The an- clent dreeks 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 fine head os hair SO de- sirable that it became almost sacred with av,fl lxt T "A the gods on important occasions, such as marriage, victory or escap ng from any great danger, and the burial ol 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. It is owing to this that hair is peculiarly in- destructible. It 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 Q gradual decline of human hair of the finer texture. Now there is glut in the market of cheap hair, and where at one time the value of human hair i'm ported to this country would amount to $S,000, 900, 1t does not exceed $4,0O0 ,OOO. A large portion of hair comes from Paris direct. It IS obtained il. various ways. as before stated. It is generally collect ed by agents, who SCOUT the country towns and villages as peddlars and ex- change their goods for an attractive head of hair. They then sell it to the larger dealers; while the small dealers also col lect tho 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 $8 to $100 an ounce, the short hair being usG~ ies' and gentlemen's wigs. The lonA nair is used for switches and chignons, and is more valuable than gold. The average hair is from 26 to 38 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. It 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 it's length, and after being bleached cannot be told from ordinary women's hair, This is sold from fifty cents to $l per pound, whereas ordinary hair would sell from $8 to $50 and $100 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 graye- yard or hospital hair.
 The amount paid for entry at the GUS tom house on imported hair of diffeIent kinds for 1878 was $150,5Sl; for 1879, $223, ,s34, and for this year, up to July last, $163,676.
 It is expected that the amount paidfor duty this year will be less than last year. although the quantity of hair imported may be larger, by reason of it's cheapness and it's being imported in raw state.