1.  THE COLOR OF THE HAIR.—­The color of the hair corresponds with that of the skin—­being dark or black, with a dark complexion, and red or yellow with a fair skin.  When a white skin is seen in conjunction with black hair, as among the women of Syria and Barbary, the apparent exception arises from protection from the sun’s rays, and opposite colors are often found among people of one prevailing feature.  Thus red-haired Jews are not uncommon, though the nation in general have dark complexion and hair.

2.  THE IMPERISHABLE NATURE OF HAIR.—­The imperishable nature of hair arises from the combination of salt and metals in its composition.  In old tombs and on mummies it has been found in a perfect state, after a lapse of over two thousand years.  There are many curious accounts proving the indestructibility of the human hair.

3.  TUBULAR.—­In the human family the hairs are tubular, the tubes being intersected by partitions, resembling in some degree the cellular tissue of plants.  Their hollowness prevents incumbrance from weight, while their power of resistance is increased by having their traverse sections rounded in form.

4.  CAUTIONS.—­It is ascertained that a full head of hair, beard and whiskers, are a prevention against colds and consumptions.  Occasionally, however, it is found necessary to remove the hair from the head, in cases of fever or disease, to stay the inflammatory symptoms, and to relieve the brain.  The head should invariably be kept cool.  Close night-caps are unhealthy, and smoking-caps and coverings for the head within doors are alike detrimental to the free growth of the hair, weakening it, and causing it to fall out.

HOW TO BEAUTIFY AND PRESERVE THE HAIR.

1.  TO BEAUTIFY THE HAIR.—­Keep the head clean, the pores of the skin open, and the whole circulatory system in a healthy condition, and you will have no need of bear’s grease (alias hog’s lard).  Where there is a tendency in the hair to fall off on account of the weakness or sluggishness of the circulation, or an unhealthy state of the skin, cold water and friction with a tolerably stiff brush are probably the best remedial agents.

2.  BARBER’S SHAMPOOS.—­Are very beneficial if properly prepared.  They should not be made too strong.  Avoid strong shampoos of any kind.  Great caution should be exercised in this matter.

3.  CARE OF THE HAIR.—­To keep the hair healthy, keep the head clean.  Brush the scalp well with a stiff brush, while dry.  Then wash with castile soap, and rub into the roots bay rum, brandy or camphor water.  This done twice a month will prove beneficial.  Brush the scalp thoroughly twice a week.  Dampen the hair with soft water at the toilet, and do not use oil.

4.  HAIR WASH.—­Take one ounce of borax, half an ounce of camphor powder—­these ingredients fine—­and dissolve them in one quart of boiling water.  When cool, the solution will be ready for use.  Dampen the hair frequently.  This wash is said not only to cleanse and beautify, but to strengthen the hair, preserve the color and prevent baldness.