Belzoiii's Researches and Operations in Egypt, Nulla, &c. 217 



been the decoration or breastplate of the kings of Kgypt. Few 

 have been found, and 1 have seen only two, — one is in the Bri- 

 tish Museum, and the other I was fortunate enough to procure 

 from an Arab, who discovered it in one of the tombs of the kings 

 in Beban el Malook. It is of black basalt, much larger and su- 

 ))erior in workmansliip to the otlier, which proves that they 

 were of various sizes, and more or less finished. It has the sca- 

 rolceus or beetle in alto relievo on a small boat with a deity on 

 each side of it, and on the reverse is the usual inscription. Over 

 the head of this figure is the eagle with extended wings, as if 

 protecting the king. On the upper part of each side of the walls 

 of the passage is the history of the hero divided into several small 

 compartments nearly two feet square, containing groups of fi- 

 gures eighteen inches hijjh. The hero is to be seen every where 

 standing on a heap of corn, receiving offerings from his soldiers 

 or companions in war. Further on is a small staircase leading 

 into a short passage, where the procession still continues, and 

 the sacrifice of a bull is to be seen (shown in Plate 13). The walls 

 of both passages are covered with hieroglyphics in sci)arate divi- 

 sions. From this short passage there is an entrance into another 

 much wider than the rest. The charming sight of this place made 

 us give it the name of the Room of Beauties. All the figures are 

 in such perfection, that the smallest part of their ornaments can 

 be clearly distinguished. The sides of the doors are most beauti- 

 fully adorned with female deities, surrounded with hieroglyphics, 

 and the lotus is to be seen both in bud and in full bloom, with the 

 serpent on a half globe over it (Plate 17). Furth.eron is the great 

 hail with six pillars, containing on each side of it, two figures as 

 large as life. The walls are adorned with the procession and other 

 svrnholical figures. Over the door, in the inside, is the figure of a 

 female with extended wings. At each side of this hall is a small 

 cell; that on the left containing various mummies and other figures, 

 and that on the right a cow of half the natural size, with a imm- 

 ber of figures under it, which form a very curious group. The 

 walls also are covered with hieroglyphics. In the large hall close to 

 the door are a u>nnber of men carrying a long slender pole, at each 

 ciid of which is a cow's head, and on the pole, two bulls (shown in 

 Pi. 1.5). Still further, the hall opens into the large vaulted chamber. 

 It would be impossible to give any description of the numerous 

 figures which adorn the wall of this place. It was here that tlie 

 body of the king was deposited, as I found in its centre the beau- 

 tiful sarcopliagus. This is sculptured within and without with 

 fcmall figures in intaglio, coloured v.ith a dark blue, and, when a 

 light is put into the inside of it, it is quite trans])arent. The 

 ceiling of the vault itself is painted blue, with a procession of 

 figures and other groups relating to the zodiac. 



" The next is a eiianjber with a projection like a sideboard. It 

 \ul. 7 . .\o. 2V> . March I S2 1 . L c h as 



