MAMMALS. 5 
the right hand. The portion of the skin thus disengaged is 
kept from adhering to the flesh of the body, by being sprinkled 
with plaster of Paris. The anus is then cut through, and im- 
mediately after, the tail at its junction with the body. The hind 
legs are then cut orf at the upper thigh joint, and the posterior 
part of the body turned out of the skin. ‘The carcase is now 
suspended by the pelvis on a hook supported by a string 
from the ceiling of the room, and the skin gently pulled down 
from the back, the operation being facilitated by the handle 
of the scalpel as before. The fore legs are then disarticu- 
lated at the shoulder joint. The neck is then uncovered and 
the head proceeded with. In skinning the latter part, great 
care must be exercised to cut off the ears as close to the 
skull as possible, and to preserve the eyelids, nostrils and lips 
uninjured. The neck is now separated from the skull. The 
trunk is now removed from the hook and laid aside, and the 
legs successively hung on the hook, and the skin drawn down 
as far as the toes. ‘The flesh is then removed from the bones 
of the legs, care being taken to leave the tendons uniting the 
joints entire. In order to skin the tail, the first two or three 
vertebree are laid bare and attached to a stout cord. A 
cleft stick is then made to embrace this portion already 
skinned beyond the cord and gradually forced down toward 
the extremity, carrying with it the freed skin. 
The skin now being separated is carefully examined and 
any flesh or fat removed by the scalpel. The inside of the 
skin is then thoroughly rubbed over with the common white 
arsenic of the shops (arsenious acid) or if preferred com- 
pletely anointed with arsenical soap. ‘The bones of the legs 
