The Utilization of Rats.

Manawatu Herald, 18 February 1893, Page 2

The Utilization of Rats.

In the North American Review Lord Playfair has an article illustrating the extraordinary progress that has been made by modern ehemkt' ¥ y in the use of waste products. At the close rf his article Lord" Playfair says : — Of all living things rats seem to be among the most repulsive ; and wh m dead what can be their use ? But even they are the subjects of production in . indtwteial arts. In Paris there is a pound surrounded by wa'ls into which all dead carcases are thrown. A latfge colony of rats hw been introduced from the catacombs. Tho rats are most useful in clearing theflesh.frbm. the bones, leaving a clean • polished skeleton fitted l>v the makers of phosphorus. At ihe ba3e of the wall numerous shallow holes are scooped out just sufficient to contain the body of the rats b >.t not their tails. Every three months a great battue takes place, durin;* which the terrified rats run into the Itoles. Persons go round and, catching the extending tails, pitch the ra's into bags, and they are killed at leisure. Then begins manufacture. The fur is valuable and finds a ready sale. The skins make a superior glove— the gant-de-rat and are especially- nsed for the thumbs of kid gloves, becausß the skin of the rat is strong and elastic. The thigh-bones were formerly valued as tooth picks for clubs, but are now out of fashion \ whi'e the tendons and bones are boiled up to make the gelatine wrappers for bon-bons.