A somewhat gruesome fact was mentioned by a gentleman named Steel, who read a paper before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria the other day on " Maori Heads." The author exhibited a jjood "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 ib some tims he noticed that a thin growth of very fine hair in scattered patches had taken places. . In order to gain definite information of future growth the hair had been closely shaved from a marked patch. Ib is a fact 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 ab least fifty years, and whose flesh had been smoked to a mummy-like hard ness and dryness. It is a striking illustra tion of the vitality which hair is capable of exhibiting. It is also an of what may be termed hirsute perversity, aioce 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 en sure a fresh crop, remain bald and show no sign.
