_Second step_, or that of the incision of the envelope. Holding the sharp convex bistoury in his right hand, he takes, with the thumb, a _point d’appui_ upon the prominent organ, and carries it carefully over the surface of the scrotum in a direction parallel with the median raphè (described in the first chapter), and following the great curvature of the testicle, and being careful with the first movement of the instrument to divide only the scrotal skin and the dartos, until the most superficial layers of the cellular tissue of the third testicular envelope are reached. The skin and the dartos being divided, the edges of the wound separate, and the testicle, still pressed downwards and outwards with the left hand, protrudes more or less, still included, as it is, within its fibrous covering. A careful dissection, with a few light strokes of the bistoury, or laceration with the thumb nail of the hand, now suffices for the separation of the fibrous envelope from its external covering, an entire separation of both of which can thus be easily obtained by pressing the most external layer upwards through the laceration of the cellular coat which unites them. _Third step._--The operator now relieves himself of his instrument--not, we may venture to suggest, by placing it between his teeth, as some careless surgeons are apt to do, but by handing it to an assistant--and, changing his position, places himself in front of the inguinal region, and facing it. He then proceeds to the enucleation of the testicle, by separating the adhesion which exists between the internal face of the dartos and the external surface of the cremaster muscle and of the fibrous tunic. The separation being completed, and the scrotum and dartos being carefully pushed upwards, the patient is now ready for the last step of the operation.