Page:Description of the Abattoirs of Paris.djvu/10

6 every Monday, when the butchers attend and purchase their stock. At the former is established a branch of the Municipal Bank, at which the butchers have a credit according to a fixed regulation. Every butcher must be licensed to carry on his trade, and must give security, by depositing three thousand francs (£120) in the Municipal Bank, up to which amount he can draw upon the Bank of Poissy, for payment to the sellers of the cattle which he purchases, and in some cases, according to his respectability and credit, he is permitted to exceed this amount, by paying interest, and repaying the loan and the original deposit within a limited time.

From the markets of Poissy and Sceaux, the cattle and sheep are driven to the abattoirs, by drovers who are under the control and license of the municipality, but who can only take a certain number, at one time, under their charge. They are responsible for any damage that may occur, and are also obliged to drive the cattle by certain routes, to the particular abattoir to which the cattle are consigned. The routes from each market to the different abattoirs are clearly laid down by the authorities in their code of regulations, and are generally along the roads encircling Paris, entering by the barrier nearest to the particular abattoir. Having arrived, the cattle are driven into pens, whence the owners select them, and drive them to their stalls, where they are kept till they are required to be slaughtered.

In the plate accompanying this paper, is shown the plan, elevations, and sections, of the abattoir of Montmartre, which is the most important in extent. As before stated, they all so nearly resemble each other, that an explanation of one of them will suffice to render clear the construction and general arrangement of all. The entire space is surrounded by a high wall, so that nothing of what is passing within can be seen from the exterior, and the entrances are closed by iron gates, the avenues, passages, and yards being all paved, and provided with proper water-channels and gratings, so as effectually to take off all rain-water drainage.

The slaughter-houses, A, are built of limestone, the walls being of plain rubble, with ashlar dressed quoins, jambs, stringcourses, lintels, and plinths; the walls are about 16 feet high, and upon them is placed the roof, which is supported on timber posts. The roof consists of timber-framed principals, projecting a distance of 10 feet all round, open at the sides, and covered with pan-tiling of a heavy description.

Each slaughter-house is 16½ feet wide, by 33 feet long, and 15 feet high, and is fitted with a strong framework of timber, about