THE ELEPHANT. 21 



measurements, on the wall of the workshop where the model 

 was constructed of its natural size. 



The Elephant was placed upon its back by means of 

 four-corded pulleys fastened to the platform. An incision, 

 the form of a double cross, was then made in the lower side, 

 the central line reaching from the mouth to the anus; the two 

 other cuts were made from the left leg on both sides to the 

 opposite right legs. The trunk was longitudinally opened in 

 its under side ; the soles of the feet were now taken out to 

 within an inch of their edge, and the nails allowed to remain 

 attached to the skin this was effected by the aid of a chisel 

 and mallet, and was one of the most difficult operations of the 

 whole. 



Several persons wrought at a time at the operation of skin- 

 ning, and four days were necessary to effect it. When re- 

 moved from the carcase, the skin was weighed, and found 

 to be five hundred and seventy-six pounds. 



It was extended on the ground, so that the cutaneous 

 muscles of the head and other parts might be cut away from 

 its interior. The skin was then put into a tub, and covered 

 six inches deep with water which had been saturated with 

 alum. 



The model which was to fill the skin was made as perfect 

 as possible in its shape. To insure this, models were made of 

 half the head in plaster, as also a fore and hind leg. This 

 structure was made of linden-wood, and so ingeniously con- 

 structed by M. Lassaigne, that almost the whole parts could 

 be separated. He opened a pannel on one side of the body, 

 whereby he introduced himself into its interior, so that he 

 might make its parts more perfect within. Even the head and 

 proboscis were hollow, which rendered this stupendous model 

 so light that it could be moved from one part to another with 

 comparative ease. 



The model being completed, the alum water in which the skin 

 had been all the time immersed, was now taken out and made 

 boiling hot, and in that state poured on the skin, which was 

 then allowed to soak in the warm liquor for an hour and a half, 

 when it was taken out still warm and placed upon the model, 

 which they accomplished with some difficulty. But judge of 

 their mortification when it was found that the model was rather 



