Abstract:
1. The specific gravity of 54 samples of South African Merino wool from various wool-growing areas was determined. Significant differences occurred among these samples.
2. The mean value was 1.3052 at 25°C., water at 4°C. with a standard deviation of ±0.0035 and a coefficient of variability of ± 0.27 per cent.
3. A series of samples presumed to have been selected for differences in specific gravity were analysed. The results were inconclusive.
4. No correlation between the specific gravity and the fibre
fineness of the samples was obtained.
5. The influence of variations in specific gravity on the determination of fibre fineness by the weight-length method is discussed.
