Fibre-Follicle Terminology in the Mammalia

Abstract

A CONSIDERATION of recent investigations^1–5 into the early development of the coats and fibres of various breeds of sheep and also of other mammalian types suggests the need for a standard follicle nomenclature. It has been found that the types within the follicle population and their group arrangement in the skin of the fœtus and lamb are among the chief factors which determine what type of staple and fleece will be produced.It is obviously necessary, therefore, to agree upon a consistent terminology if research in this field is to be intelligibly co-ordinated. The accompanying table indicates the present confusion and incorporates our suggestion for a terminology which is simple and, on the basis of our present knowledge, adequate enough to cover all the important follicle types in the mammalian coat.