The stuff is marked out from the thin patterns before mentioned by means of chalk, and in doing so care should be taken to lay the patterns on the timber so that the grain may run as nearly as possible in a line with it, and thus obtaining the greatest possible strength in the wood, which lies in the direction of the grain. Thus if the pattern be straight, lay it down on a piece of straight-grained timber; if the pattern sweep round, then get a piece of timber the grain of which will follow, or nearly follow, the line of pattern. The strongest timber that can be obtained is necessary for the construction of the hind and front bottom sides; for the weight is directly transmitted to these, more particularly the hind bottom sides, where the pump-handles are fixed. The body-maker, having marked and cut out the various pieces of timber he will require, planes a flat side to each of them, from which all the other sides, whether plain or curved, are formed and finished. They are then framed and scarfed together, after which the various grooves are formed for the panels and rebates, for the floor-boards to fit on to. Then, if there is to be any carved or beaded work, it is performed by the carver. Previous to being fitted in, some of the panels have strong canvas glued firmly on their backs, and when fitted in blocks are glued round the internal angles to give greater security to the joints, and to fix the panels firmly in their places. Before the upper panels are put in, the roof is nailed on, and all the joints stuck over with glued blocks inside. The upper panels are then put on, united at the corners, and blocked inside. If the foreman who superintends all this be a thoroughly skilful artisan, and the men under him possess equal intelligence and skill, the work might be distributed amongst almost as many men as there are parts in the framework of the body. These parts will be worked up, the mortises and tenons, the rabbets and tongues, being all cut to specified gauges; and when they are all ready it will be found that they go together like a Chinese puzzle. The woodwork being completed, the currier now takes the body in hand, and a hide of undressed leather, specially prepared for it, is strained over the roof, the back, and the top quarters of the body whilst in a soft pulpy state, and carefully sleeked or flattened down till it is perfectly flat. This sleeking down is a rather tedious process, and takes a long time and a great amount of care to bring it to a successful issue; when it is flattened down satisfactorily, it is nailed round the edges and left to dry, which will take several days. Such panels as require bending may be brought to the required sweep by wetting one side and subjecting the other to heat, as of a small furnace.