The thirty pairs of spinal nerves are now cut from above downward, beginning on the right side. The cut edge of the dura or a dural fold, if the dura is left uncut, is seized with the dissecting forceps and pulled over to the left, so that as much of the nerve can be secured as possible. A long, narrow, sharp-pointed scalpel is inserted, outside of the dura, into the intervertebral foramina, as far as possible, and the nerves are cut while traction is made upon the dura to the opposite side. The same procedure is then carried out upon the left side. When all of the spinal nerves are cut, the scalpel is introduced in the spinal canal upward, as near to the foramen magnum as possible, and the cord and dura are cut transversely. The cord should be held by the dura; direct pressure with forceps or fingers upon the soft substance of the cord should never be made. If the forceps cannot be used to hold the dura with advantage, then the cord enclosed in the dural sac may be gently but firmly held in the _palm_ of the left hand and lifted and drawn downward towards the sacrum with the greatest care. As the cord is removed the fibrous attachments between the dura and the longitudinal fascia of the anterior wall of the canal are cut with the small scalpel by means of oblique cuts upon the bodies of the vertebræ. Any fragments of bone impeding the removal of the cord should be trimmed off with the bone-forceps. The forcing of the cord through a tight aperture in the open canal may ruin that portion of the cord. In some cases it may be better to sever the dura and cord at the sacral end, below the cauda equina, and remove it toward the head, using the same method of holding the dura, and cutting the spinal nerves and peridural tissue. When this is done the importance of saving the spinal fluid should be borne in mind. Some prosectors prefer to sever the dura and cord above before cutting the spinal nerves, and to cut these and the epidural fascia while removing the cord. An experienced operator may save time in this way, but there is greater danger of injuring the cord. The cord may also be removed by severing the spinal nerves and vessels inside of the opened dura and lifting the cord out of the dura, but it is more likely to be damaged by this method. When the brain has been removed before the cord the dural attachments as high as the foramen magnum should be severed and the cord removed up to the point where it was severed from the brain. If it is desired to remove the cord attached to the brain, the cord is first loosened throughout its length from below up to the foramen. It is then carefully protected while the skull is opened; and after the brain-connections have been severed it is drawn up through the foramen as the brain is lifted out of the skull. After its removal from the body the cord is stretched out upon table or board and the dura opened in the median line both anteriorly and