the same part of the bod, of the animal; the whole crop springs up at once; the whole advances' uniformly together; the whole loosens from the fkin nearly at the same period, and thus falls off if not previously fhorn, leaving the auimal covered with at fhort coat of young wool, which in its turn undergoes the same regular mutations. Among other ani

mals the case is different. Their hairs discover not the same uniformity of growth; they loosen from the fkin unequally, and drop off one by one, so as to

leave the old and new hairs at one season blended together for a long time, and never discover that sudden and total nakednefs so observable in the fheep at the beginning of summer. This seems to con

stitute one distinguishing characteristic of wool *.

In another respect is the wool of sheep efsentially different from the hairs I have had occasion to examine. Hairs for the most part are either uniform in their thickness throughout their whole length; or if there is any difference, they are smaller at their point

*Whether the e filaments die out entirely from the root when they loosen from the skin, like annual plants when they have perfected their growth, or whether, like herbaceous plants, the shoots only are annual, while the roots rem and send out fresh-fhoots to suc

ceed them; or whether, like young animal teeth, the young fhoots spring up in the same socket with the old, and force them out upon their points: or in what other manner this change is effected must be left to future physiologists to discover. From the peculiarities of wool to be afterwards mentioned there is some reason to suspect that the new filament always succeeds another in the same place. It would seem probable also that other body hairs of animals spring out by the side of the old, before they loosen. But this is mere conjec

ture.

*

than at their roots Wool, on the contrary is always variable in the thicknefs of the filament throughout its whole length. And in general it is considerably thicker towards the points than the roots, though this I fhall have occasion to how is not universally the case. This constitutes another, and a still more characteristical distinction between wool and hair than the former.

I have had occasion to remark above that the hairs of the human heard seem to be protruded through the skin, nearly in the same manner, as if the point of a wire were pushed through a hole in a plate, being thus formed of a uniform thicknefs throughout. The filament of a silk worm is moulded nearly in the same manner. The viscid juice which constitutes the silk, is generated in the body of the creature, and being pushed through fine holes in the animal, formed for that purpose, is first fixed to an external object, and being afterwards drawn through these holes while yet in a soft and yielding state, is no sooner excluded, than it hardens so as to retain its fhape and size, and thus constitutes a kind of animal flexible wire, which we call a thread, which seems to be of a uniform thickness throughout its whole length. Could we suppose that by the influence of any cause whatever, the hole which forms the mould of the silk could be occasionally dilated, the part of the filament that was drawn through the hole at that period would of course be thicker than the others;

*In some kinds of hairs this is very observable: as the whiskers of cats,

and it would vary through its whole length in pro portion as the influence of that dilating or contracting power was exerted or withheld.

It is not alleged that a filament of wool is thus moulded; but the above is given merely as an ilJustration of the manner in which an effect might be produced upon a filament nearly similar to that which is universally observed to take place in regard to wool.

These general observations being premised, we fhall now proceed to inquire what is the influence of heat or cold on wool under the threefold distinctions already specified.

To be continued.

A CHARACTER.

Translation from the French, of a lady's answer to a reproach of insensibility, and unnatural coldness. By Arcticus.

nor

Taustere coldnefs and insensibility you reproach me with, and possibly think pofsibly think a constitutional fault, is neither the effect of prudery, the melancholy scruples of a silly saint. Believe me above such little motives of action; believe that my blood often circulates with rapidity; believe that I know there is but one spring in the of life, and that love is combined with, and atyear tached to humanity: nay I will even permit you to believe that Cupid in certain attire, has as many

"

charms in my eyes, as in those of the rest of my sex yet after all these confefsions, which I make with pleasure and openness, as artifice and disguise are only the refuge of little minds, which I have no occasion for, I tell you that as much as I honour love, I despise lovers, and detest their perfidious flames, their deceitful arts, with their false vows, alas! often but too much credited, by our amiable and credulous sex, merely because they feel no trace of such perfidy in their own gentle bosoms.

But if you would see my frigid system vanish into air, let fortune throw in my way,

such 2 man as my imagination sometimes creates, and .whom I am afraid is only to be found there; however take my mental picture of him.

He must have a gentle though lively temper, to hide a strong and masculine mind.

His exprefsions of attachment must neither be dictated by artifice nor vanity, but proceed directly from a feeling heart.

He must be well informed without pretensions, serious without melancholy, free without licentiousnefs, and in short carry nothing to excess but love and prudence; nay, he may charm all my sex, and adore but me.

He must hide his pafsion in public; as I desire no other proofs of it there, but a passing glance to convey the feelings of his heart, which nobody must observe but me.

In private he may make up for public restraint, in breathing a chaste and delicate pafsion; and if

he merits it, he he may probably hear of a reciprocal flame, pure as the love that fans it.

To render this union of heart more durable, he must be my guide, my friend, my councellor, and my lover, so that when near him, my mind may acquire elevation and grandeur.

Yes, I confefs it, fhould fortune throw such a man in my way, who alas, I am afraid is but a creature of my own fancy, my coldness would vanifh at his approach, like snow in sunshine; and I would accompany his footsteps at all times, and in all places; but whether in a palace or cottage, I would never deign to bestow a thought.

Till that idol of my heart and mind is realised, I desire not to please, and fhall persevere in my coldness, which never yet cost me an effort.

The group of admirers whom my feeble charms attract, are not flattering to me, I despise their sentiments, with their little arts to please, and yawn at their incense.

Let them seek the weak and vain, to hear their sighs and sufferings;-the zephyr bends the reed but has no effect on the steady oak,

I cannot help mentioning a remark that occurred to me when translating this beautiful picture of a lover drawn above, that physical perfection seems to be below the attention of the fair painter, and is never once hinted at in the whole letter.

ARCTICUS.