60 Gimbernat on the Mode of extracting 



famine ; because, as long as they are kept in their natural state, 

 a food as nutritious as fresh meat may be obtained from them. 

 For this reason, a supply of bones is preferable to cakes and 

 other preparations of gelatine, which cannot be so perfectly pre- 

 served, and are always liable to the attacks of vermin. It has 

 been ascertained that even bones, which are commonly reputed 

 antediluvial, furnish an unexceptionable jelly. We may, there- 

 fore, safely assume, that bones kept for ages will furnish man 

 with wholesome food, and that a large supply of these will be 

 a security against famine. 



The subsistence of garrisons might always be provided for, if 

 there were in the fortresses a sufficient quantity of bones; which 

 might easily be procured in time of peace, and almost without 

 expense, for all that would be necessary would be to preserve 

 the bones left after the daily consumption of meat; and an order, 

 which prescribed to the garrisons such a measure, would render 

 the necessity of capitulating for want of provisions less frequent. 

 In a few years bones enough would be accumulated to feed 

 several thousand men for a considerable time ; the quantity 

 thus collected, indeed, Avould be immense ; but there would 

 be no difficulty or expense in preserving them : it is not 

 necessary to have magazines for an article, which can be 

 kept equally well above, or under ground, provided it be se- 

 cured from excessive humidity. The bones might be buried 

 in the dry ditches of the ramparts between two beds of sand, 

 together with a proportionate provision of acid. 



Here, then, is a security against famine, which would at the 

 same time be proof against weather, shells, fire, and the 

 ravages of time. It is scarcely possible to have food better 

 preserved, than by this process, which might not improperly 

 be called a para-famine, by the French Academy, since they 

 allow the terms para-tonnerres and para-gr^les. 



Recent events sufficiently show the importance of making 

 regulations for the preservation of the bones of the meat con- 

 sumed in fortresses. The garrisons of St. Jean d'Ulloa and 

 of Callao made a most honourable defence ; but famine at 

 length forced them to deliver up these places, the last posses- 

 sions of Spanish power, to the republics of Mexico and Peru. 

 Py their surrender, Spanish dominion has terminated in thq 



