410 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



sheep, there are abattoirs for the slaughtering of swine, distinct 

 from these, but upon the same plan. 



I have observed nothing particular in the mode of killing cattle 

 in Paris ; their heads are brought to a ring, and they are then 

 stunned with an axe, and the throat is cut. I do not know that 

 a mode of killing producing less suffering has as yet been devised ; 

 but I am not without hope that even this mode may be improved 

 on. When we consider the vast amount of animal life which 

 the wants and luxuries of man require to be daily taken, human 

 ity is greatly concerned in the diminution of the suffering attend 

 ing it. Since Divine Providence has recently revealed to man 

 an inexpensive method of suspending sensibility, so that the 

 most painful surgical operations are endured without suffering, 

 and even without consciousness, and the first discovery has 

 been succeeded by one as effectual, and even more simple and 

 of more easy application, I see reason to hope that it may be 

 applied to the lower classes of animals, to save them, in the cases 

 referred to, the pangs of death ; and thus an immense amount of 

 animal suffering be prevented. If there are any who regard the 

 subject with indifference, and look upon the suggestion as ridic 

 ulous or useless, I can only say that with such persons I have no 

 sympathy whatever. 



They have a practice in Paris which I have not seen any 

 where else. When the skinning of the animal is commenced, a 

 large bellows is inserted under the skin, by which it is inflated, 

 and becomes much more easily separated from the flesh than by 

 the ordinary process of skinning with the knife. 



CXXIIL THE FILTH OF PARIS. 



There remains one establishment to be spoken of, directly con 

 nected with, and of great importance to, agriculture, as well as 

 to comfort and health ; but which, having no other than a dis 

 agreeable interest to many of my readers, I forewarn them at 

 once to pass it over ; though a French writer humorously 

 observes, that &quot; a book written upon asafoetida is in itself no 



