THE ACTIVITY OF THE HAIR FOLLICLE 457 ovaries, the hair, when next replaced, grows to the same length as in males. I suggested that oestrogen might accelerate the breakdown processes of the cell, of which keratinization is part, thus shortening the synthetic phase with the result that less hair is actually produced. MR. R. L. DAvIEs: Do you know anything about the phenomena where hairs sometimes occur in small groups, usually of three ? Have you any information why this particular grouping takes place, and on the fall-out pattern in such groups ? T•E LECTURER: Are you referring to the human scalp, or do you mean throughout the mammals ? MR. R. L. DAvIEs: The human wrist, at least on my wrist they certainly occur in groups of three. THE LECTURER: The whole question of follicular pattern is a complicated one. It is a consequence of embryonic development which in turn may be related to evolutionary history. I do not know whether there is any con- sistent pattern of replacement within each group. •/[R. C. ]BEDEMAN: You state that follicles do not seem to be lost in the pro- cess of balding, but that they regress. Can you enlarge on this somewhat ? ThE LECZURER: According to Hamilton (31), the density of follicles remains similar in bald and non-bald areas. In baldness the follicles do not actually seal up, but they regress to produce only a fine veilus hair. In normal, patterned baldness the proportions of the follicle remain unchanged the follicle gets much smaller but the volumes of the matrix and of the dermal papilla are proportionally reduced. On the other hand, in alopecia areata which is reversible in some circumstances, the papilla does not shrink as greatly as the matrix. Both types of follicle produce cosmetically useless hairs. MR. J. K. HEm): In answer to Mr. Davies I would like to state that we have noted, in the human scalp, the occurrence of some hairs in groups of up to 4 hairs. We did not determine whether multiple follicles were involved but this is likely since it was often noted that all the hairs were actively growing, though not necessarily at the same rate. The number of hairs in these groups was characteristic of the individual, and thus it was often possible to identify the particular person by examining photographs (x 10) of the scalp. THE LECTURER: The study of the actual course of balding which Mr. Herd and his associates have been carrying out, is breaking some new ground. I think most of the statements that are made about bald heads refer to areas already bald. The transition from the normal follicle, which produces long terminal hair, to the degenerate follicle which produces veilus is worthy of investigation.

458 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS 3RD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF COSMETIC SCIENCE Presentation to Society of Cosmetic Chemists Two views of the Georgian chalice. The $rd International Congress of Cosmetic Science, organised by the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, was held in New York from 22nd to 26th June 1964. The social highlight of the Congress was the Banquet held at Ferris Booth Hall, Columbia University, New York, on Wednesday, 24th June. On that occasion Mr. A. Herzka, President of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain, conveyed the thanks of his Society to the host Society for the organisation of the Congress, and for making it possible for so many Europeans to attend the Congress at relatively little cost. A Georgian silver chalice was then presented on behalf of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain to the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, on whose behalf it was accepted by Mr. R. A. Kramer. The chalice, upon which the crests of the two Societies are engraved, is inscribed with the words FROM SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN TO SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS JUNE 1964. Mr. Herzka also presented Mr. Kramer with a vase of Wedgwood Jasperware as a personal gift from the British Society.