Without a word, he left them, and when he returned, held in his hand a dozen or more hard, bony-like and dried-up reeds. "Possibly these will do for your purpose."
"What are they?"
"These are the intestines of the wildcat we shot about ten months ago."
"Well, aren't they as good as the intestines of the common cat?"
"Undoubtedly; but violin strings are not produced from that source."
"Aren't they known as catgut?"
"That is true; but it is a mistake. The strings of commerce are made principally from the intestines of sheep, and, singularly, have been always designated as 'catgut.' Other articles from the same source are hatters' bowstrings, clockmakers' cords, and thongs for whips and laces for boots."
"What are the best kinds of strings for musical instruments?"
"Those obtained from Milan, Italy, are considered the best, on account of their transparency and exceeding strength. Most frequently each string is made up of two or three separate strands, twisted together with the utmost care. But there is another use of the greatest value, and that is as a thread for sewing up wounds in internal surgery, because, being of animal matter, the thread will, in course of time, be absorbed into the system, and thus remove itself, without requiring a second operation to remove it from the wound."
"How is it prepared to make it suitable for our purpose!"