SKELETONS. 17 
ton is to be a natural one, not to injure the ligaments. 
The partially cleaned skeleton is then returned to the mac- 
erating tub, and on succeeding days is subjected to the 
cleansing operation until all the flesh is removed. It may 
be well, as a final step, to use a stiff nail brush to remove 
the last traces of flesh. 
The skull is treated in the same manner, and the brain 
is broken up and removed with a stick, through the occipital 
foramen. It is sometimes desirable to open the skull by 
sawing off the top, and thus to remove the brain more care- 
fully, preserving the sentorium and falx cerebri uninjured. 
Under no circumstances should the bones be boiled as 
that operation greases them and gives the skeleton an un- 
sightly appearance. If the water is left too long without 
changing, the bones are apt to become discolored. 
When finally cleansed, the skeleton (if a natural one) has 
a wire passed down the spinal canal, its end projecting from 
the neck and then, being supported in the desired position by 
strings or wires attached to a suitable framework, is left to 
dry. When dry, the skull is fastened to its place on the 
wire projecting from the neck, by means of copper or brass 
wire, the lower jaw is articulated to the skull, and held ina 
proper position by spiral springs. ‘The body is then sup- 
ported on a couple of upright standards, arising from a hori- 
zontal base, and after being duly and fully labelled, the 
specimen is complete. 
It would be impossible, without occupying much more 
space than is allowed, to describe the method of articulating 
an artificial skeleton, while on the other hand it can be 
2 
