Trichographia mammalium; or, Descriptions and drawings of the hairs of the Mammalia, made with the aid of the microscope

ry

’ Ry. 7™ ae ma. Fe

-

ioe
See

y)

\ | \ Ran

2393 VIRB 3D 23

We
Yy | h\ ANe
LY

NS)
ek Aah

BBB
p>» 13 2»? 2 » 2

~ 2S SUUGUUU
WA

ge PSS DDD 2
| 2D PB? >») IPE 222 ?
EEE: PDD
Geese = SOS es Dy

+ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. ¢ aga 33 Bi

y

[SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT. ») a DD.
we 24-94 2 :

4 ff | ‘s 4 | yy
—Sh oF b/ 5 v - yd 2

> >») ¢ UNITED STATES ( OF AMERICA ¢ SD). p> ?.

) SSS >)

BP ») 333

NN j
H\Smei|\\ seca

\

—_

‘ ; ; ww \ — ae : y Ae oy) Ny,
\ | \ Ne \ \ i ix ~ N= ~~ A \ tee =
\ { 4 A} - . fp .
f / \ ' | = \ 9 : oe i Ri Ms ‘ “
h JINN
wy
Y
U

\ “* \ Le \ A :
j Ke i, ; ° Loe / pst eal . a \ o | \ -, ba OTT . 4 q . =# Ww Ne e
\o YR de I . , \ \ . i Ai ‘ SE ee BTR \ a} a . ° ‘ \. aa) whe nee ae a | clean ‘4
. ANI INGS Ns A fea, | Ne SY. RB NF FSG ~ . A a er \ oa Tah asl i
7S jh =) \ ey) eS \ ™~ \ Lie | (IK = at WN IAS \\ ‘i, mn nt ie D Sse owe ents ale Bees
~ ( WA ; : - | Aes | \ A ay if OR es 1
‘ \ \ \ 4 “ ¥ 7 > / J\\: : \e ety | / is me :
i eo) is \ a y G Ms f w y ( 1 i a ieee, 4
Nb i ; i j . ‘ \ \ ye\* frapek th, Sad
; ‘es Nay | Ne NI NAN Vee SAA ake
| . : ) 2 > St. r 7 shal | dl fi ieee rN fT
Pf 4 { | K \ , A f ‘ Ae py aw \ Nae a NRT we S
f { i \ BA fete \ ri y \ . . ‘
» ‘ |, Gate , oe . ani p j _ <

. way We

\ j {3 } - \
\ j\ i j\ t\. \
l\ H \ yh 7 oe } }
NN vii \ AN) TS iN { i Nae Ak hs

J

Wy

iN \ NS \:
y
y)
Ne
Ly

vw
LY
Wy
Ui

Vv)
SY
Uwe
IA
Vuvuuwe

Dy D>) WO Zee =o
QR 5 Lo, 3. > DD DM: Le a>
3 2»: Bae 3S 2-
yy» yD DP» py)? 33 »

35) WP ®»» 2 33 933 »> ae

! DD - Wy» WY >
-pwy 2 oe D2 22.
py De »» DD cee
yy »» 3 y Dy PL

i) 3» 2
ry ane 33 : > ori Sp =<

a = 53. a >> Le D2 y
3p PDs 25 B) >

Te oe

> 333 |
3) py
3 wy S33

CR CISMNSN

So a\. Bi: : > :
4 7 a 2 4 x < ra " ~= fet '
= 4 ei ‘ ¥ a _ = 5 ey ” > i ar { 7
A 4 oh “= eat ae i AW hn” Ce ae) aa omen 4 : } 4%) Ase
hee FP. Series aha : S| eae © / q hs ee \ SJ
= J “off - ae i oN) ganse =} ” sy ee }\ © eae hi Ge eee ' i Ride, fon .% oh 3 ’ Ls is
socal me : A 4 AN Hy i 4 i ¥ " a i - ; : ao (0 ! ee u ae, Pita 7 '
| ; . ts Fy a. . i ae | SRS (oye \ Gee | re ete anett herds a ate
- ¥ “ * . . aT a a) ae Ar i's i e , a as 7 tee ee
AX ‘ t yo a oe OF it . AR = JEN Dt WN FB Bas p de 2 A ee OB he: ~ vs,
a Deo sagihing ont a 2 ae | ah a ALS \ tear™ Ay Fae she Sa, ees ee
Wi rg A ‘f a I he i rt ‘a “ | 4 \ . Sra 4 fi 4 aa Pah ; ~ " 5 i gh;
AS \ ( : ‘ H j “~ * . j i Ae = ” j
Ih) ae a “ {\ i An j i : An Bt A i H
we fii jy \e => deh, ae ey 2 WA. Sl NF i
Ms “ ye CAN . A et - . cae a = £5) a ees Lh a,

tee

aN

BS

\

33. > Bb

)

wes

30D | 3
yD 33 33 3 333

DESCRIPTIONS

’
"8

¢
ey
a

=
te.

| MADE WITH THE AID OF THE MICROSCOPE. :
oe PerEen x! ‘BROWNE, Ei
gee ie ee Ba ; S E : is : poe te =

7
i
, i
i &
x r
i . es a x mAs
. SORA aA 7 Y PALA DPA PAPE

«Le Microscope, ce puissant. ‘moyen d’ investigation, sans le secours duquel on ne peut plus parler d’un
. corps queleonque, sans €prouver une juste timidité.” Manbu.

24 - ° 2 -
BON NE PPP ARR ARAN APIA LOIS LOPLI ODIO Ld
‘ '
‘e ne é ‘
, a
a ‘ .
fe A .
7 3
.) f 7 & Sf, r '
aie 4) “A
'
5
#2
H
4 i ¥
“ te!
wa | - he
’

4 ae | PHILADELPHIA:
if: He JONES, PRINTER, NO. By CARTER’S. ALLEY.
> 1848. ;

THE

TEGUMENTARY APPENDAGES OF THE MAMMALIA.

Hairs have generally been considered as the characteristic

covering of the Mammalia, as feathers are of Birds, and scales are
of Fishes and Reptiles; so much so, that a zoologist of some note
once proposed to call this class ‘‘the Piliféres,” as contradistin-
guished from “the Penniféres,” and ‘the Squamiféres.” But
there are animals who suckle their young, the greater part of
whose covering is not hairy ; wherefore, we propose a new classifi-
cation and nomenclature of the Mammalia, according to the reality
of their tegumentary appendages.

GENERAL TABLE OF THE TEGUMENTARY APPENDAGES OF THE
MAMMALIA.

Ist. A hard mantle; composed of carbonate and phosphate of
hme deposited in cells of animal matter.

2d. Compact corneous and imbricated matter; the appendages
forming, together, a scale-hke covering.

3d. fibrous corneous protuberances ; the appendages forming
those horns which are unconnected with the osseous structure or
skeleton.

Ath. Fibrous and parenchymatous matter; the appendages are
_ spines.

5th. Membranous and scale-lke matter; these appendages are
found upon prehensile tarls.

6 DASYPUS.

6th. Fibrous corneous matter covered with membrane; these
appendages are Hazrs, which are either
A. Ageglutinated fibres, viz. bristles, or
B. Non-agglutinated fibres, viz.
a. Hair proper.
b. Fur.
c. Wool.

FAMILIAR EXAMPLES OF THE FOREGOING CLASSES.

Hard mantle,—the Armadillo. Scale-like covering, —the
Pangolin. Horn,—that of the Rhinoceros. Spimes,—the Porcupine.
Scaly tail,—the Possum. MHair,—the Horse. Fur,—the Beaver.

Wool,—the Sheep.

But it must by no means be inferred that each kind is confined
to one of these appendages; on the contrary, it sometimes happens
that an animal has two, in such equal degrees of profuseness, that
it is difficult to tell which prevails.

Corneous matter we distinguish from bony by the absence of
bone-earth* and from feathery matter, to which it is closely allied,
but which contains one atom less of oxygen. This (corneous)
matter is generally divided into three kinds, viz., compact, fibrous,
and membranous; to which, (as will be perceived,) we have

_ added a fourth, viz., Cellular. The covering of the Pangolin is

generally called scales; but we purposely exclude that word, as
it is the name of the characteristic covering of Reptiles and
Fishes.

We commence with the Hard Mantle.

To this category belongs the Armapitio, the Dasypus of
Linneus, which has its entire superior surface covered with this
mantle. See fig. 1.

Tatou is the Brazilan name. 'The Spaniards gave it the name
of Armadillo, on account of the armor, and the Portuguese call it
Encouberto, for the same reason.t ‘“Dasypus,” (from ‘“dasus,”

* Phosphate of Lime. +“ Encouberto,” covered, concealed, enveloped, protected.

~)

DASYPUS.

hairy, and “pous,” foot, which was one of the names of the hare
among the Greeks,) is much less appropriately applied to this

animal.

For convenience of description, the armor of the Armadillo is
generally divided into four principal portions,—a helmet, or
covering for the head;—a buckler, to defend the shoulders and
anterior part of the back:—central bands, varying in number from
three to thirteen; and a part sometimes called the crupper, which
hides the posterior part of the back. The tail varies in length,
shape, and covering; being sometimes short and tubercular, at
others long, and either skinny, tubercular, or in crustaceous
rings. ‘The legs are covered with tubercles, and the feet are
provided with strong claws. Besides whiskers and eyebrows, they
have hair upon the abdomen, (the skin of which is soft and thin,)
and hair or hair-lke processes upon the back. ‘The brain has the
odor of musk.

It is not our province to point out the object that nature had in
view in placing upon the head and body of the Armadillo this
formidable armor; and if it were, we would be discouraged by the
entire failures of those who have endeavored to do so. One writer
sagely descants upon the providential protection it affords from
the otherwise destroying effects of swarms of ants, that are found
in the parts of South America which the Armadillo inhabits,
seeming to forget that these insects would be most likely to attack
the abdomen, which is without this protection. Another author,
with about as much reason, tells us that the armor was designed
to shield the animal from the scorching effects of a tropical sun;
as if a being which lived in subterranean excavations required
such a parasol.

8 DASYPUS.

Armadillos have been divided into species according to the
number of dands; but Griffith justly considers this arrangement
objectionable, since Azara has shown that the bands vary among
individuals of the same species.* ‘The teeth are good grounds
for distinction; and although placed in the Order ‘“ EKdentata,”
I’. Cuvier assures us that the Encouberto has incisive teeth, and
we know that others have molars.

Mr. Owen, in his Odontography, p. 320, says that most
naturalists regret that the great reformer of Zoology should have
substituted the name FEdentata for that of Bruta, applied by
Linneus to the order of mammals which he had characterized by
the absence of incisives; only two species of which are without
teeth, while almost all are destitute of incisors. And in a
subsequent page, speaking of the Chlamydotherium, he says, there
are eight teeth on each side of the upper, and nine on each side
of the lower jaw—the three anterior ones of the latter being
incisors BY POSITION. ‘They vary also in the number, size, and
shape of their claws.

The three-banded Armadillo Fig. 2.
possesses the power of rolling
itself into a ball, the head and tail
then being adjusted, side by side,
at a small appropriate aperture,
to enable the animal to breathe.
mee fig. 2.

Whether any other species of
Armadillo possesses this power,
we do not undertake to determine.
Nature seems to have provided no means of enclosing the long
ringed tails w2thin the armor, and their hardness seems sufficient
to protect them from outward injury. It is true that the pangolin
with a long tail rolls itself up also, but his tail is more flexible,
and being flat_on the under side, fits exactly to the back of the
animal when it is in this coiled position.

The following figure (No. 3) is copied from a daguerreotype of

* Buffon considered it a sexual difference.

DASYPUS. 9

a skeleton belonging to Prof. Paul Beck Goddard, (who politely
loaned it to us,) marked, ‘‘7-banded Armadillo.”

Tht AG BA 7 te _ TTT | ec
| = ON at
| | = pa mim ui Y it

i]

i

0

DIMENSIONS OF THE SKELETON.

Length from tip of muzzle to tip of tail, 16 inches; length of head, 3; of neck, 1; of body,
5 4-10; of tail, 6 6-10; height, 3 5-10; circumference, 6. Spine, cervical vertebre, 7; dorsal
and lumbar, 16; os sacrum and coccyx, 9; tail, 20, of which 13 are rings, and 7 vertebral.
Scapula, length, 1 5-10 inches; breadth, 1. Sternum, length, 1 5-10; os humeri, 1 6-10;
ulna, 1 6-10; radius, 1 1-10; ossa innominata, 2 2-10; os femoris, 1 7-10; Tibia, 1 2-10;
| Fibula, 1 3-10; os calcis, 7-10. Claws, in front, 4—length, 1 3-10, 1 2-10, 5-10, and 4-10;
in rear, 5—length, 1 3-10, 1 2-10, 1, 7-10, and 5-10. Teeth, 7 in each jaw, above and below

(molars. )

The covering of the Armadillo must not be confounded with the
envelope of the Chelonians; the latter being a corneous enlargement
of the osseous structure, intimately united with the rest of the
skeleton ;* while the former is entirely tezumentary, and composed
of carbonate and phosphate of lime deposited in cells of animal
matter. We placed some pieces of the armor in diluted muriatic
acid, by which it was made as flexible as a piece of leather,
although it was before dry and horny. ‘The lime was dissolved
with effervescence. Upon adding to this solution oxalic acid, we
had a fine white precipitate. Upon subjecting this precipitate to
a microscope of high power, it was found to consist of groups of
crystals of octahedrons, truncated on the corners.

* Fleming, Phil. of Zool., 269.

10 DASYPUS. ce.

We next (after having ascertamed its weight) submitted a
portion of the buckler to the action of the
blowpipe; and having consumed the animal
matter, we found that it had lost half its weight;
but that it retamed its figure, all the lines and
angles having preserved their original sharpness.
See fig. 4, A. and B. Having boiled it im
water, and found that it contained nothing soluble in that hquid,
we next submitted it to diluted nitric acid, which quickly dissolved
it entirely. To one portion of the solution we added nitrate of
silver, and detected phosphorus. ‘To another portion we added
sulphate of soda, but found no magnesia. ‘To a third we added
oxalic acid, which threw down a white precipitate crystallized, as
before mentioned.

From the above experiments we conclude that the armor of the
Armadillo is composed of carbonate and phosphate of lime and
animal matter in equal quantities, by weight. Its bones (according
to Simon) have 53 per cent. of phosphate of lime to only 6 of
carbonate.*

This covering of a mammalia bears a strong analogy to the
shells of some molluscous animals. And, as regards appearance,
we were forcibly struck with the microscopic representation of the
shell Pimna im Carpenter’s Elements, figure 46, in p. 183, which
might be mistaken for the buckler of an Armadillo.

It is obvious, then, that it is a mistake to suppose (as some have
done) that this armor is formed of hairs soldered together.+ So far
as the horny part of the covering is concerned, we are willing to
admit that they have the same origin; and certain it 1s, that horn
and hair have the same elements, viz. Carbon 48, Hydrogen 39,
Nitrogen 7, and Oxygen 17; but that the armor is composed of hairy
fibres, agglutinated together, is not confirmed by any examination
we have made. .

We must now direct our attention to the plates.

Almost every physiological book we open informs us that organic

Fig. 4.

* See Animal Chemistry, p. 598.
{ ** Qui paraissent formés de poil soudés entre eux.” Elem. de Zool.

DASYPUS. I

matter has always a rounded form; but the plates of the armor of
the Armadillo are not generally bounded by convex surfaces, nor
do they commonly present rounded outlines; on the contrary, they
are, for the most part, circumscribed within strazght lines and angles;
forming parallelograms, hexagons, triangles, polygons, and other
mathematical figures. ‘The plates of the Armadillo form angles,
ab initio, and become rounded by pressure.

The Armadillo we are now about to describe is bicolored and
ring-tailed, the Novemcinctus; but the particular description of
which will serve as a general one of the genus. It is probably a
young animal, for two of its molar teeth are not
entirely cut. All of them are hollow and devoid of ,
root, indicating their continual growth. They are li
very hard, and have no enamel. See fig. 5. i

The whole interior of the armor is lined with a membrane,
which, in the dried state of our specimen, is of a brown color, of
the thickness of 73> of an inch, and of the specific gravity of 1.824.
This probably represents the first layer of fascia, or cellular tissue,
generally found beneath the skin. See fig. 6.

This membrane appears to be entire,
but is moulded to the projections and
depressions of the interior surface of the
substance next described, to which it
closely adheres. Near the bands at A. it
either thickens into, or is closely connected,
with a layer of muscular fibre of great
elasticity and toughness. Attached to the aN
interior of this membrane are some small dried filaments supposed
to be nervous.

Immediately above this membrane
is found the body of the armor, or
dermis, if so 1t may be called. It
is z> of an inch thick, has as. g. of
1.80, is negatively electric, and, in
the dry state of our specimen, hard
enough to scratch sulphate of lime. Upon examining it on the
interior face, (fie. 7, A.) it is found to be laid out in regular

12 DASYPUS.

or depressed mathematical figures; differing in form and size

according to the species, and the part of the armor upon which ~

it is found.

The buckler of the one at present under discussion (fig. 7) shows

depressed, unequal sided hexagons, differing in their greatest
diameters from ;3 to % of an inch. Each hexagon is bounded by
four longer and two shorter lines; the angles are various. They
are of the consistence of horn, and inelastic; but are partly sepa-
rated by a white cartilaginous or fibro-cartilaginous substance, of
the average width of ss of an inch, and they are covered entirely
with a hard, thin, pearl-white couche,* embossed with figures,
viz., one in the centre of the hexagon ovoidal and of the greatest
diameter of } of an inch; this 1s set around by twelve smaller com-
pressed ovoids, two upon each angle of the hexagon. All the small
ovoids correspond with similar ones which invest the respective
large ovoids of the neighboring hexagons; each pair then having
the appearance of a single figure of double the dimensions; and
the whole of them, together, forming raised ornaments to the
buckler. See fig. 7, B.

It was one of these hexagons that we submitted to the chemical
examination described in page 9; and, since the animal matter
was, aS we have shown, burned out, the residuum, which retained
the hexagonal figure, was lame.

Fearing that with the blowpipe and spirit lamp we had not

succeeded in driving off all the carbonic acid gas, we placed two
portions in a Dutch crucible, and submitted them to the action of
an anthracite furnace for eight hours; at the end of this time they
had separated, were of the purest white color, and had lost nearly
half their weight; 1. e. from 16 grains they were reduced to 10;
one portion of them was put into distilled water, which it took up
with great rapidity, but without giving off any caloric. After the
excess of water had evaporated, this portion remained unaltered.
Another portion was dissolved, with effervescence, in diluted nitric
acid.

* The plates belonging to the helmet have a hard, dull white surface, and present no

appearance of this couche; but after treating them with acids, it partly separates and curls at the
edges so as to be easily detected See fig. 7, C.

DASYPUS. 13

The hexagons, even in the dry state of our specimen, are easily
separated by inserting a moderately sharp instrument into the
interstices, or natural joints, at the anterior surface of the buckler;
but the body of the hexagon cannot be divided without force and
fracture. They also separate after maceration, or upon burning
out the animal matter that occupies the interstices; and, in regard
to those of the helmet, by contraction, on account of becoming
very dry.

Each hexagon has on its interior surface a central depression,
(see fig. 7, A.) which corresponds exactly with the prominence of
the large ovoid on the opposite face, (see fig. 7, B.) each plate,
thus forming a low arch, tending considerably to strengthen the
whole of this part of the armor.

The skins of animals are, in general, by their great elasticity,
admirably adapted to not only a free motion of the body, but to its
eradual enlargement. When the envelope is unyielding, nature
provides substitutes; one of these is to be found in the univalve
shes of the mollusca, which gradually increase in length and
diameter by continual additions at the opening. On the other
hand, the hard envelopes of the articulated animals are thrown off
when the parts contained require more room, and coverings better
adapted to the enlarged dimensions are soon formed; but it is
obvious that neither of these arrangements would meet the case
of the Armadillo; and we find that by the above mentioned
interstertial position of a flexible cartilaginous or fibro-cartilaginous
matter, between the natural joints of the unyielding plates of
carbonate and phosphate of lime in cells of animal matter, the
armor is provided with the means of slightly extending its
capacity. And at each angle of the hexagons is found the remains
of a muscle, which was doubtless subservient to a voluntary
movement of them. So each plate is capable of being increased
in size by a gradual and continuous deposite at its sides. When
these deposites are equal upon all the angles, the plate is enlarged
without changing its figure; but any partial interruption of the
deposite alters the shape of the plate. This accounts for the
various angles and sizes of the hexagons.

On the superior face of each hexagon, in the angle of every small

14 DASYPUS.

ovoid, is a foramen for the emission of a hair, or hair-like process ;
but no perforation is seen on the inferior face, except in the centre
of the hexagon, and, of course, of the depression above described.
See fig. 7, A.

The whole of this dermis is covered with
an epidermis, somewhat resembling scales ;
which, in both outline and figure, corresponds
with the dermis. See fig. 8. Its color is
sometimes horny-white, and at others black,
in which latter case the coloring matter
appears to be on its zmmer surface. In the
dry state of our specimen the scales sepa-
rate readily from the dermis, adhering slightly
among themselves. Under the blowpipe they
are entirely consumed, emitting an odor of
burnt horn.

Raspail is of opinion that the epidermis is nothing else than the.

external layer of the cutis, whose cells are emptied, flattened and
dried up more and more, until, being separated from each other by
the retraction of their sides, they fall off in the form of furacious
scales.* If this is true, as a general rule, the Armadillo must form
an exception, for its dermis and epidermis have different elements.

As to the internal structure
of the hexagons, it is simple.
Figure 9, A., represents a
portion of the buckler after
having been treated with mu-
riatic acid, to render it trans-
parent, and fig. 9, B., sec-
tions of the same in the natu-
ral state. It will be observed that all the other vessels diverge
from one central one, which has its outlet on the inner face of the
hexagon, through the foramen before described. Each of the
diverging vessels terminates in a capsule, out of which issues a
hair or hair-like process, passing through the foramen, in the
angles of the small ovoids, as before noticed.

* New System of Organized Chemistry, p. 288.

ee

DASYPUS. 15

‘his organization, so appropriate for a part

which contains fifty per cent. of animal matter,

if would have been unnecessary, had the hexagon

=| been composed entirely of crystallized carbonate
and phosphate of hme.

Figure 10, No. 1, represents the hexagons and

parallelograms as. connected together; No. 2 is
a section of a parallelogram.
The hexagons of the helmet are much depressed. Fig. 11
represents one of them. Side No. 1 has three separate
and two twin follicles. No. 4 has three follicles.
Opposite to No. 2 are two foramina, which communicate
with the superior surface. Between Nos. 3 and 4 are
three small vessels, which do not terminate in follicles.
The interior vessels are reticulated and anastomose,
forming two ovoid figures, both of which communicate
with the superior surface, one by 11 and the other by 12 foramina.
On the interior surface are foramina, from 5 to 7. See fig. 11.

Between the hexagons first described and the first band is a
line of parallelograms of the length of one-half of an inch, and
breadth of one-fourth of an inch. The following figure, 12,
represents the internal structure of one of them, magnified 250
diameters.

Fig. 11.

The main arterial trunk, A., les horizontally, communicating
with the interior of the armor by a foramen situate near the end of
the parallelogram towards the hexagons. This main trunk divides,
successively, into five horizontal limbs; four of which, viz. 1, 2, 3,
and 4, after anastomosing, terminate near the other end of the

16 DASYPUS.

parallelogram in as many fusiform follicles, B., from each of which
emerges, horizontally, a hair, or hair-like process, C. The fifth
limb, No. 5, inclines abruptly to one side of the parallelogram, and
after a much shorter course, comparatively, terminates in an
orbicular capsule, D., from which, through a foramen communi-
cating with the anterior surface, issues, vertically, another hair, or
hair-like process, invested with a sheath, e. Besides these five
limbs, there are branches,6. Four of these, i. e. two on each side,
issue out of the main trunk, below its first limb-fork. These sub-.
divide into numerous twigs, which do not anastomose. From limb
No. 4, about half way beyond its fork, is another and the largest
branch of all,7. This anastomoses with the limb, and divides into —
numerous twigs, but does not terminate in either a follicle or cap-
sule. ‘The limb on the opposite side, No. 1, above its fork, has
four branches, 8, which do not anastomose or terminate in either
follicle or capsule, but divides into numerous twigs. Between
limbs Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, are three interfolical vessels, 9. These
anastomose with the follicles, and open out at the end of the paral-
lelogram. They are probably sebaceous or perspiratory organs.

Some of the anastomosing vessels empty into culs de sac, 0,
approaching, in dimensions, almost to that of the main trunk.
These are generally situated at, or near, the root of a follicle, and
may be reservoirs.

Each of the above vessels may be, and probably are, accompa-
nied by an artery and a vein; for the animal possesses the power
of repairing and reproducing injured or lost plates; as is proved
by a specimen of the Apara we have examined, that bears the
marks of the operation having been performed.

Vessels of a still more complicated character are presented in
the parallelograms of the bands. Four of these are represented
by fig. 13. A. is the superior, and B. the inferior surface.

They are in length one inch and three-tenths, (of which five-
tenths pass under the buckler,) in breadth six-tenths, and in
thickness, where uncovered, one-twentieth; and where covered
with the buckler, one-tenth of an inch. Each band is separated
from the one adjoining by a white cartilaginous or fibro-cartilaginous
substance, similar to that which separates the hexagons, before

DASYPUS. 17

described; and they are provided with muscles similar to those
of the hexagons. The uncovered portion of each parallelogram is
divided by seams into two large and two small acute angled
triangles, truncated at the apex. In these seams are foramina,
in number from six to eight; they pass between the partition of
the epidermis, and are severally provided with vertical hairs, or
hair-like processes. On the interior face of each parallelogram,
fic. 13, B., may be seen two foramina, one larger than the other.
The largest is the outlet of a main horizontal, arterial trunk,
imbedded in this portion of the parallelogram; which trunk, after
running horizontally a short distance, divides successively into
four branches. These branches, after anastomosing, terminate
respectively into as many fusiform follicles, out of each of which
issues, horizontally, a hair, or hair-like process.

The trunk gives off lateral branches also, which terminate
severally in orbicular capsules, from two to four in number, and
corresponding with as many vertical hairs, or hair-like processes.

The smaller foramen is the centre outlet of another and smaller
trunk, which immediately throws off limbs. ‘These terminate
respectively in orbicular capsules, corresponding with the four
remaining vertical hairs, or hair-like processes. These limbs and
capsules nearly surround the larger foramen, forming, together,
an oval figure. All the above mentioned branches and limbs are
provided with small twigs, which anastomose.

This bandular dermis, (if so 1t may be called,) where uncovered
by the buckler, is surmounted by a horny epidermis, corresponding
with it in shape; and, in the dry state of our specimen, separating
from it readily, ike that of the buckler, E.. fig. 14; but the part

18 DASYPUS.

covered by the buckler is invested with several couches of muscle,
D. fig. 15. The interior of this latter portion of the dermis, fig.

16, A., is filled with large, circular, oval, and ovoidal cells, formed
by the circumvolutions of a horny,* intervening
tissue. ‘These cells communicate freely with each
other, and occasionally with the exterior, by foramina.
Upon this portion of the paralleloorams there are no
hairs.

Fig. 16.

Fig. 13, C., shows a vertical section of the upper
end of three of these bands, and the muscular
arrangement of that part of the armor may be there
examined. 1. End of the bands, respectively.
2. The cartilaginous substance, and a muscle at each intersection.
3. The foramina of the muscles.

How are these plates formed? Are the cells constructed
first, or are the animal and calcareous matters simultaneously
deposited? ‘To answer these questions with certainty, would
require examinations into the fetal condition. ‘These we have not
had it in our power to make. ‘lhe animal whose armor came par-
ticularly under our notice, was, as we have before stated, a young
one; along the margin of his upper jaw, from the point of the
muzzle, towards the ear, is a row of plates exhibiting a gradual
developement in size and organization, from the soft swelling,

* Cell walls are always proteine.

DASYPUS. 19

resembling a portion of glue, to the hard, horny, and calcareous
hexagon. ‘These we have made the subjects of minute microscopic
examination; but nothing important upon this point has been
elicited.

What is the function of the hair or hair-hke processes which
issue out of the hexagons and parallelograms? ‘That they are
not intended to keep the animal warm, appears from the smallness
of their numbers; and from their intimate connection with the
internal structure, it is probable that they are organs of secretion
or of perspiration.

W hat is the function of the hairs of the abdomen? We examined
some of them, taken from the Armadillo, which has a long
tuberculous tail, the Tatou Poyou, or main jaune of Azara. They
were lenticular, straight, flexible and elastic,—in length about
three inches. Follicle generally penniform, sometimes terminating
tuberously, at others in a sheath which invests the hair for the
zoth of an inch; anterior termination generally rounded and blunt,
and occasionally cleaved. Color principally cinerous; the follicle
of a clearer white. ‘To the touch smooth, when passed through
the fingers in either direction. We placed transverse sections

under the microscope, but the results were not satisfactory; they

appeared like homogeneous discs of a horny white color, and no
_organization could be detected. “We! them divided one of them
‘longitudinally, and under the microscope could discern two distinct
portions, viz: a comparatively thick outward covering or cuticle,
of a yellowish horny color, and an interior bundle of very minute
fibres, of a whiter horn color. These fibres we were able to
separate. ‘The hair-like processes of the plates, on the contrary,
exhibited under the microscope, when similarly divided, but one
appearance, viz., a homogeneous opaque mass, of a white | horny
color; no fibres were to be seen with the highest power we used.
We also treated both these hairs or hair-like processes with
diluted nitric acid, with different results; those from the abdomen
turned straw-yellow, and became seml- ‘transparent, while those of
From the above and other nents piel it were tedious
to enumerate, we came to the conclusion that the hairs of the

(2)

20 DASYPUS.

abdomen might be prolongations of nervous fibres. ‘To an animal
such as the Armadillo, possessing very little means of exercising
the sense of feeling, owing to its peculiar covering, such a
tactual apparatus might be of great advantage in traversing its
subterranean retreats. We made some comparative examinations
of these hairs, and the whiskers of some of the carnivora, the
results of which, however, we will reserve until we come to
describe these latter appendages.

Sn

ADVERTISEMENT, |

i aes Ge eta a a ge ed a ae < . Fae se
a vn ean P Z

Tue recent brilliant sieeaveties made indiehpidlony hed ‘Aunaal oak | Vegetable < :
Anatomy, with the Microscope and chemical examinations, which owe the principal Bi es

part of their success to its agency, have produced astonishment i in the unskilful,
and admiration in the scientific world. To enlarge the boundaries of this know-

ledge we have undertaken this work, in. which we propose to devote these ey Fee

examinations to hairs, wools, furs, &e. The reader may, perhaps, be inclined to — Ee ag
imagine that these tegumentary appendages have already undergone severe scrutiny,

and that their organic structure has been completely displayed ; but we assure

him that much remains yet to be developed. Having discovered that a great deal

firm determination to take nothing f for granted, but to examine each hair, and to
put down nothing of which we are not morally certain. We flatter ourselves that
an investigation, thus conducted, will not be devoid of usefulness. To the scientific

natural historian we offer no apology for entering upon his arena, determined, if {jf
possible, to make ourselves welcome guests. To the medical practitioner and
student we would remark, that many are the diseases of the hair, some of which |}
can be better understood by an acquaintance with its structure; that almost
innumerable are the diseases of the skin; and that this organ and its piliferous

appendages are so intimately connected, "that the former cannot be completely
understood without some information in regard to the latter. But this is not all;
hair, wool and fur are objects of great utility in manufactures and the arts, and
their study cannot, therefore, fail to excite general interest, especially in this
country, where the history of every thing that can increase the wealth of the nation,

that has been published is ineorrect, we have commenced our labours with the “

or add to the comfort, or even to the luxury, of the people, is a legitimate object ie e
of pursuit. What discoveries we may be happy enough to make in er begs OF ae

wool, or the manufacture of fur, time alone can determine. —

In a path so little trodden, it is to be expected that we healer occasionally | ie

make mis-steps; but we trust that all such will be attributed to ae cwae and | oe “a

we pledge ourselves to be ever ready to retrace them.

We propose to publish in Numbers—each one to contain abont as ; much matter >
as the present—and we respectfully request our friends, and the friends of science, J
to aid us in obtaining subseribers—transmitting the lists with as little delay as f
practicable. The price of the numbers will be 625 cents each, pai. cae x

delivery.

We also solicit specimens of human hair—if ancient, from mummies; if recent, Ns

from foreigners, or our own Indians, either pure, or crossed by whites or negroes ;

hairs that have been produced in unusual places, or have been developed under .

peculiar circumstances; hairs of Albinos, idiots, lunatics, foetal monsters, or of
persons laboring under ‘diseases of the hair or diseases of the skin likely to affect

the hair. Bristles hair, fur or wool of superior quality, although grown upon ~

ordinary animals, or the covering of any extraordinary mammal, hybrid, or cross

breed, whether wild or domesticated. Hairs of amphibious ‘mammalia, &e. &e. |

will be acceptable.

Each specimen should be accompanied with the particulars that render it :

curious. Wherever practicable, the follicle or root should be obtained. =

We cannot close this brief announcement without returning thanks to numerous ne

friends who have already obipingly cornista us wilh, Aperioens for examination.
P, A. BROWNE,
M.~ Wz DICKESON.

The Cuts are by Mr. Hox i. Ke1zy, from Drawings of Dr. Dicxesox. Biay 3 : it

at Joh tl ie RS a eee
~/ ed a Di Se Be cg +5 ;
A Tpke he qin “oe ath ~~ te art. foe NSA etiat Ha tet

Be »

; me " LY on ee <>
By k a ee oa ON a0 ay Pate 4 ~
et A oe ee 3 ers va

a

aS

irk, Af mM ;
Ore pia a Aum Ik
i, ia A) ee

~ “ay.
- i .
”
.
4
°
= ‘ sd
; ent
uy ’
.

.
a
~ 4
pics ‘
oe "i
ie)
per g
=
os
ba
Ps
A
_ t
‘
i
.

£ ae ccc & cK C «ic gis

2 SS = — Co m4 ae a ay a 4
See — aie, SD Male ry on L @ _
= a & 2 . SS OE ea ; F f~
a en fot am kh Nl GG &
hae (Cz. ~ on Ge & A
i. : : Se SS cons ? = ee? —— = ye
J AL ana ‘= -
; \
f j (