< XT 



NICKING. 



273 



half-opened fan in shape, and that instead of hanging 

 down, as Nature intended, it should be stuck up per- 

 pendicularly. 



So, after several vertebras had been cut off, and 

 the stump seared according to custom, the remaining 

 vertebras were cut partially through on the under 



' NICKING ' THE TAIL. 



side. This was for the purpose of severing the rather 

 powerful tendon which pulls the tail down. Lest 

 the wounds should be healed in the ordinary manner, 

 and so give the animal a chance of lowering its tail, 

 a piece of machinery was invented and used as seen 

 in the illustration. 



