21(3 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



depressed. Two corneous grinders in each jaw. Cheek 

 pouches. O. paradoxus *. 



137. ECHIDNA. Snout produced rounded, palate and 

 tongue covered with reversed corneous processes. Without 

 cheek-pouches. Two species have been figured by Sir E. 

 HOME, E. liystrix and setosa ). . 



Quadrupeds are usually preserved in a dried state in a 

 museum. When the specimen intended for preparation is 

 procured alive, it ought to be killed by pithing , which con- 

 sists in passing a sharp instrument between the skull and 

 first vertebra, so as to divide the spinal marrow. In small 

 animals, the puncture of a needle will be sufficient. When 

 quite cold, the process of flaying may be begun. The 

 skin is opened by a longitudinal incision along the side, 

 and carefully separated from the subjacent parts, as far as 

 practicable. The nearest hind-leg is now detached from 

 the body by the separation of the joint at the pelvis, and 

 by reversing the skin over its surface, an opportunity is 

 given to remove the flesh from the bones, even unto the 

 setting on of the toes. The tail is next separated at the 

 rump, and the disengaged skin, now easily reversed, will 

 allow the operator to remove and clean the bones of the 

 other hind-leg. The skin is now to be pulled over the body 

 towards the head, separating in its course the cutaneous 

 muscles and the fore-legs, and over the head, to the nose 

 and mouth, separating the ears by their base, and preserv- 

 ing the eye-lids. The carcase is disengaged from the head 



* Its structure is described by Sir E. HOME. Phil. Trans. 1802, p. 67. 

 f Phil. Trans, p. 348. Tab. x and xiii, 



