_Claim._--1. The process for the production of a lye for treating hides or skins preparatory to tanning, consisting in the propagation of the bacteria of dung, in particular dog and bird dung, by means of suitable culture beds substantially as described. 2. As a new article of manufacture a lye containing a pure culture of one or more of the described bacteria. 3. In the process of producing a lye referred to in the first claim, the elimination of the detrimental agents substantially as described. 4. In the process referred to in the first claim, the addition of acids or alkalis for the purpose set forth and substantially as described. 5. The process for the production of a lye for treating hides, consisting in the separation from the dung of the bacteria herein designated as 3, 7 and 12, producing pure cultures thereof, and introducing the same into a decoction preferably freed by boiling from other bacteria and containing a suitable culture bed, substantially as described. 6. A process for the production of cakes, for the treatment of hides, consisting in the inoculation of sterilized bran, flour, etc., with cultures having a definite percentage of bacteria and the removal of the proportion of water that is necessary for the development of the bacteria, substantially as described. 7. As a new article of manufacture sterilized cakes, containing a certain quantity of the described bacteria, substantially as described. 8. As a new article of manufacture the solid or liquid material containing the products of the decomposition, as generated by the pure cultures of the said bacteria, whether such material does or does not also contain the said bacteria, either in the active condition or killed by sterilization, substantially as described. *Wood’s English Patent* (12,549, 1898).--Improvements in and relating to the means used for the Bating of Hides and Skins. This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to the means, liquid or bate, used for the bating or puering of hides and skins previous to the process of tanning the same. At the present time skins are usually bated by means of a liquid or bate prepared from dog or pigeon dung, and although the bating action or actions have not hitherto been thoroughly understood, it is a well known fact that fermentations going on in the dung play an essential part. It was also pointed out in 1885 by H. R. Procter, in his “Text Book on Tanning,” that the action of the bate was in a great measure due to bacteria. It is also a known fact to practical tanners that a dung bate, properly applied, produces the best quality of leather. Owing, however, to the varying composition of the dung used, the bate made therefrom possesses varying properties, its bating action is uncertain, its properties are readily affected by atmospheric influences, and the skins treated are liable to putrefaction.