INTRODUCTORY. 5 



IV. From the posterior part of the loins to the central 



line of the abdomen against the stifle. 

 V. From the centre of line No. Ill to the centre of 



line No. IV. 

 VI. Along the central line of the under surface of the 



body from the lower lip to the anus. 

 In making these incisions care must be taken to cut the 

 8kin only, for under it in some places important structures 

 are superficially situated. The skin having been punc- 

 tured by a slight incision at first, the knife (this work takes 

 the edge off an ordinary scalpel) should be introduced, 

 and the remainder of the skin divided from within out- 

 wards. From the primary incisions the dissectors then 

 commence to separate the skin from the neighbouring 

 parts, being careful to cut only through areolar tissue, the 

 great connecting medium of the other tissues ; the free 

 flaps in a short time produced may be then drawn away 

 from the subject, whereby the areolar tissue is rendered 

 tense and thus more easily perceptible and divisible. Any 

 blood effused by accidental or intentional incision into 

 veins is to be removed with a sponge, and only such parts 

 as are to be immediately dissected are to be denuded of 

 skin, for on exposure the areolar tissue becomes dry and 

 tough, assuming the appearance of dried ligament or 

 tendon in some places, and hence becoming liable to mis- 

 lead. All portions of separated skin should be imme- 

 diately removed, as being liable to cover the subject with 

 loose hairs.' The bare portions may be kept moist by damp 

 cloths, which also serve to keep off dust, &c. After one 

 side of the animal has been duly investigated much 

 information may be gained by turning it over and examin- 

 ing the other side by a similar but somewhat modified 

 process, each dissector exchanging his region for some 

 other, whereby the most satisfactory amount of informa- 

 tion gained from each subject by each individual is 

 attained. 



Finally, we will recommend that, while acquiring that 

 superficial knowledge of the situation and peculiarities of 

 the bones which is requisite to the due appreciation of the 

 anatomical position of organs, the student avail himself of 

 the opportunity of learning practically the handling of the 

 scalpels, skinning, cleaning, &c., for the first subject of a 

 student generally yields him hut little more information than 



