The imports of graphite into this country, in 1873, were, from Germany, 2009 tons, value 28,964/.
HAIR (Fa., Crin, Bourre, Foil, Cheveux ; Gnu., Hoar).
Hair, a projection from the surface of the akin of many animals, consists of multitudes of slender, elastic, flexible, elongated cylinders, formed of fibrous, horny substance, and containing numerous cells, which, in coloured hair, secrete granules of pigment. The composition of hair may be stated approximately as :—Carbon, 50-65 per cent.; nitrogen, ; hydrogen, ; oxygen and sulphur, 24-61. The presence of sulphur is a notable fact, as it has an important effect on the action of dyes, and forms a ready means of distinguishing between animal and vegetable fibres (see p. 911). Hair, like feathers, hoofs, nails, and other modifications of the tegumentary system, when submitted to dry distillation, gives off products highly charged with carbonate of ammonia. The same remarks apply to wool as to hair. The thief distinction between these two products, if there be any save in name, lies in the fact that hair is generally straight. while wool is more or less curly and serrated. The scope of this article will embrace the hair afforded by all animals save the sheep, whose fleece will be described under Wool ; while those hairs which have commercial value and use in their natural condition, attached to the animal's akin, are dealt with in the article on Fur. In the manufacture of leather, great quantities of hair have to be removed from the skins (see Leather).
The trade in hair is of no inconsiderable magnitude. Omitting the enumerated varieties, statistics of which will be given under their respective heads—alpaca, cow, goat, horse, and pig— our imports of unclassified hair in 1879 were of the following value :—From Russia, 45,1341.; China, 42,260/. ; United States, 33,687/. ; Belgium, 12,243/.; Germany, 11,703/. ; France, 11,3131.; other countries, 9133/.; total, 165,4731. The exports of hair from Denmark in 1878 were 170,892 lb., value 216,327 kroner (of Is. lid.); in 1879, 159,767 lb., 628,710 1.roner. The exports of cow-, horse-, and pig-hair from Hamburg to Great Britain were 18,232 ewt. in 1876, 29,435 ewt. in 1877, and 28,656 cwt. in 1878. The exports of hair from Austro-Hungary in 1877 were 2344 metrical eentners (of 110i lb.), value 460,808 florins (of Is. Riga, in 1877, exported 43,740 pools (of 36 lb.), value 262,440 roubles (of 3s. 2d.). The exports of all kinds of hair from Canton were, in 1877, 665 piculs (of 133i lb.); in 1878, 1076 piculs. The exports from Ceara
(Brazil) in 1878 were 6827 kilo. to England, 460 kilo. to Havre, and 311 kilo. to Hamburg ; and from Rio Grande do Sul, in the same year, 486,469 kilo.
The length, strength, and elasticity of hair render it useful for many purposes, varying according to its nature and origin. These will be alluded to under the head of each kind. The chief varieties of hair will now he separately considered.
Alpaca.—The name "alpaca " is somewhat indiscriminately applied to several allied hair bearing animals, to the hair they afford, and to the goods manufactured from that hair. The genus includes four species—the alpaca or pace (Auchenia pace), the vicar', (A. vicunna), the llama (A. lama), and the huanaeo or guanaco (A. huanaco).
The most important of these from our point of view is the alpaca. This animal, in size some what exceeding a large goat, ranges in its native condition from the centre of Peru into Bolivia, or between 10° and 20° S. lat. At and above an altitude of 8000-9000 ft., iu the table-lands and mountain-ranges of the Andes, it lives in herds in a half-domesticated state, almost every peasant owning a dozen or so head. The animals feed principally on the ichu, a coarse, tall grass, frequenting the wild desolate spots below the snow-line, but have often to content themselves with mosses and lichens. They are driven in only at the shearing season. Their economic value lies primarily in their hair, and secondarily in their flesh, which latter resembles mutton, and is 3-4 times more abundant than that of the sheep. This species is not employed as a beast of burden. The fleece is superior to that of the sheep, both in length and softness. It averages a length of 7-9 in., and sometimes greatly exceeds these figures. It is very lustrous and fine, and is coloured mostly white, black, or grey, brown or fawn shades being rare. Each filament is straight, well formed, and free from crispness, and the quality is uniform throughout, the fibre acquiring strength without coarseness. It dyes with facility, and takes the colours well. Its softness and elasticity are conspicuous, it spins into an even, strong thread, and textiles made from it have almost a silky lustre (see Woollen Manufaetures—Worsted). The weight of the fleece reaches 10-12 lb., while 17 lb. is not an unknown figure.