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 

 witli 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 off 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 tliree 

 vertebrse 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 



