HORN, a substance which may be di vided into two distinct classes. First, the branched, bony horns of the stag genus, and the simple, laminated horns of the ox genus, and other kindred gen era. The first of these kinds of horn is applied to the same purposes as bone and ivory, and the manufacture is al most similar. The other kind of horn, found in the ox, antelope, goat, and sheep, consists of a number of conical sheaths inserted one into another, the innermost resting upon the vascular membrane covering the bony core. The tip is very dense, and the layers of which it is composed are scarcely distinguish able. This kind of horn appears to con sist of coagulated albumen; and there is a regular connection between horns, nails, claws, hoofs, scales, hair, feathers, and even skin. The horns of oxen are the principal ones used for manufactur ing purposes; the horns of bulls and cows being preferred to those of bul locks, which are thin and of a coarse texture. The horns of goats and sheep
are whiter and more transparent than those of any other animals.
In horn manufacture, the first process necessary is to remove the core which is forming bone ash, a substance valuable in making cupels for assaying purposes. They are also used in other ways—for making glue, stiffening for cloth dresses, and for manure. The solid tip of the horn, after being sawn off, is used for making knife handles, umbrella handles, etc. After being divided into thin laminw, the remainder of the horn is used for various purposes. Hoofs and horn cuttings are used for making prus siate of potash and prussian blue; and the clippings of the combmaker are used as manure. An artificial horn is made from the gelatine obtained from bones by muriatic acid, and converting it into a horny substance by tanning.