The Vitality of Hair.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1024, 16 October 1891, Page 13

The Vitality of Hair.

A somewhat gruesome fact was mentioned by a gentleman named Steel, who read a paper before the Eield Naturalists’ Club of Victoria the other day on 4 Maori Heads.’ The author exhibited a good 4 specimen ’ in illustration of his paper, and concluded by stating the fact that before the head came into his possession it had been neglected, and most of the hair had been destroyed by moths. After Mr Steel had kept it for some time he noticed that a thin growth of very fine hair in scattered patches had taken place. In order to gain definite information of future growth the hair had been closely shaved from a marked patch. It is a fact which, we believe, has been frequently noted, that the hair does continue to grow after death It however, does seem remarkable that a fresh growth should have started on the head of this ancient Maori, who, in all probability, had been dead at least fifty years, and whose flesh had been smoked to a mummy-like hardness and dryness. It is a striking illustrat'on of the vitality which hair is capable of exhibiting. It is also an illustration of what may be termed hirsute perversity, since while the fresh growth is starting on the skull on this long defunct old Maori, who certainly does not require it, there - are thousands of bald heads, which, despite the utmost efforts of their living owners to ensure a fresh crop, remain bald and show no sign.