microscope, it was found to consist of infinitesimal bits 
of cotton fiber, probably from the brittle cotton stop- 
per, and the remains of the pupae of several larvae. These 
have been identified as belonging to the saprophagous 
genus Callitroga (Cochliomyia and Chrysoma).' 
Yacovleff and Muelle (1984) mention a gourd bowl 
found near the neck of the mummy that they examined. 
This specimen also contained both the powder and the 
larval remains. ‘They state that the former constitutes 
the remains of certain organic substances. The descrip- 
tion of the Museum of Natural History bundle (Natural 
History 41: 119-125) mentions finding a calabash which 
had been tied in anet bag about the neck of the mummy. 
The placing of gourd containers within the mummy 
bundles of Paracas Necropolis was apparently part of the 
customary procedure of their preparation. However, 
specimens of Lagenaria are even more commonly found 
in the burials of the earlier Paracas Cavernas cultural 
phase (Carrion, 1949). 
UNIDENTIFIED PLANT REMAINS 
Wood 
A needle (80/4229) still threaded with cotton was 
found thrust through the final wrapping cloth of Layer 
Ill. Its maximum length is 15.2 em.; its maximum 
width at the eyed end 4.5 mm. ; and it tapers to a blunt, 
rounded end 2 mm. in diameter. In cross section the 
specimen is flat, with rounded edges, averaging 2 mm. 
in thickness. The surface of the needle is smooth. It 
appears that the needle had been fashioned from part of 
the stem of a large monocotyledonous plant, probably 
either the grass ‘“‘cafia brava’? (Gynerium sagittatum 
'This identification was made by Dr. Charles T. Greene of the 
Bureau of Entomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 
[ 240 ] 
