1824, | 
circumstance, in a great measure, that 
the island attained to its grandeur. 
The priests would have it considered 
as the depositary of the tomb of 
Osiris; and, by thus holding it;up to 
public veneration, placed it under the 
safeguard of the citizens. Philze be- 
came an object of pilgrimage, and its 
public works were such as to gain the 
admiration of other nations. Among 
the four temples of Phila, one has 
much engaged attention, from its 
having been constructed of materials 
still more ancient ; its stones, hierogly- 
phics, and colours, appear to be twice 
as old as the temple: so that the mind 
is filled with wonder, and the imavi- 
nation entertained, while computing 
the reputation which such works must 
have obtained, and their successive 
value, traceable to the origin of arts, 
and the earliest era of civilization. 
Within the compass of a very small 
territory, the number of columns, obe- 
lisks, walls, &c. show how the activity 
and industry of that wise state and 
nation were occupied. Phila is em- 
bosomed on all sides in granite rocks, 
so that it forms a natural fortification. 
Among other articles brought by 
M. Cailliaud from Egypt, in his last 
expedition, (which form a rich cabinet 
of curiosities,) is a beautiful mummy, 
of extraordinary magnitude and 
weight. 
gilt copper lamina, and of buttons, in 
imitation of the leaves and young fruit 
ofan olive-tree.. At the bottom of the 
case which serves for ifs envelop is a 
painted Zodiac; the figures have a 
strong resemblance to the zodiac of 
Denderah. The lid bears a small 
Greek inscription, nearly effaced ; the 
name of Petemenén appears at the 
head in Cursive Greek, on the margin 
of a small hieroglyphic papyrus placed 
over the mummy, between the exterior 
bandlets. ‘The size of the head and 
of the feet exceed all ordinary dimen- 
sions.~ From its new and singular cir- 
cumstances, it was thought that the 
openingofit would disclose manuscripts, 
metals, or otherrarities. Itwasenclosed 
in seven different envelopes, besides an 
outer linen-cloth, covered with paint- 
ings and hieroglyphics, with other 
ornaments, not common in Egypt, and 
an inner thin cover to remove. before 
_ the skin could be come at. The abdo- 
men being opened, much black baim 
of a superior quality appeared, but no 
rarities, as had been expected. ‘The 
removing of the numberless bandlets 
and envelopes, which often required 
Sketches of detached Parts of Egypt. 
On the head is a crown of 
109 
cutting-tools, and would cover a space 
of 2800 square feet, took up three hours. 
—Though nothing remarkable was 
found in the body, on removing the 
last linen from the face, M. C. disco- 
vered under each cye, and over the 
cheek-bones, a gold lamina or plate, 
representing the figure of an eye, with 
the eye-lids; on the mouth was ano- 
ther gold plate, pretty much resem- 
bling a tongue. It was laid perpendi- 
cular to the junction of the lips, which 
are perfectly closed. These two sin- 
gularities have not been observed in 
any other subject. One of the tunics 
contained several characters written 
with ink; there was also a beautiful 
scarf, with fringes, and a lace, marked 
with the letters A. M. the initials of 
the Greek name of the person. 
A second mummy, when opened, 
was found to differ in its mode of em- 
balming from all we are acquainted 
with; in the preparation, neither bitu- 
men, nor mineral soda, nor any kind 
of salt, enters. ‘The bands and linens 
are rolled about the hody without any 
adhering substance, but there was a 
very thick layer of sawings of wood or 
bark, evidently for the purpose of 
absorbing humidity, and this is com- 
pletely effected. The body also con- 
tained a great quantity of this powder, 
in lieu of bitumen. ‘This simple pro- 
-cess has safely preserved the flesh; 
parts of it, as the ears and cartilage of 
the nose, are still very flexible; all 
parts will yield to the impression of a 
finger, and even the white of the eyes 
is discernible. ‘The whole: figure is 
yellow, and not black. The person so 
embalmed is an old man: two little 
pieces of leather, or brown morocco, 
are crossed about his neck; their hie- 
roglyphic marks seem as if done with 
a stamp. One of them is in the form 
of a spatula. 
M. C. has several other mummies 
in excellent preservation. ‘wo are 
remarkable fur being enclosed in paste- 
board cases, enriched with paintings, 
and sewed on the back. 
~<a 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
HE blow-pipe having become so 
interesting and important an in- 
strument for experimental purposes, it 
may not be unacceptable to receive an 
accuunt of a means of constructing 
self-acting blow-pipes of India-rubber, 
capable of affording a strong and uni- 
form stream of air, during twenty-five 
to sixty minutes, according to the size 
of 
