The lungs may also be removed by drawing them downward and outward, away from the root, while the bronchi and pulmonary vessels are cut, the knife being directed against the vertebræ, care being taken to avoid cutting the aorta and œsophagus. The lungs are then lifted up toward the middle line, while the mediastinal pleuræ are cut. The section of the lungs may be carried out, if so desired, from the root, the main bronchus and then all of the branches as far as the pleuræ being opened up by means of the probe-pointed scissors. Other incisions may be made if desired. As mentioned above, it is sometimes more convenient to remove the thoracic organs _en masse_, either alone, or in association with the neck organs. When this is done the dissection follows the method of Letulle (see above), or the organs may be separated and sectioned according to the methods just given. The section of the heart usually precedes that of the lungs, in order that the blood-content of the former may be more correctly estimated. Under certain conditions it may be more convenient or expedient to section the lungs first, beginning with the left one. When the neck-organs are not removed the section of the thorax closes with the examination of the =aorta, oesophagus=, =thoracic duct= and =thoracic vertebrae=. The blood-vessels and œsophagus are opened with the curved scissors, from above downward, the contents noted, and the walls examined. The thoracic duct is best dissected out from the right side, by cutting along the right side of the aorta and turning the latter over to the left. The duct is more easily recognized at its lower end. It may be inflated with the blow-pipe, or opened with a probe and fine probe-pointed scissors. Sometimes the duct can be most easily found by removing the left lung and then turning the right lung over into the left pleural cavity. The posterior mediastinal tissues are put on a stretch, so that the duct can be recognized through the pleura. For the examination of the left subclavian vein the left clavicle should be removed. II. POINTS TO BE NOTED IN THE EXAMINATION OF THE THORAX.