Notices respecting New Books. 61 



been wrapped separately in fine linen, and placed in the left side of 

 the thoracic cavity. 



" It is well deserving of notice," Mr. Osburn remarks, in con- 

 cluding this part of the subject, " that the extraction of the brain 

 through the nostrils, the incision through which the vitals were re- 

 moved on the left side of the body, the cavity filled with a mixture 

 of spices, amongst which are myrrh and cassia or cinnamon, the 

 use of natron in the conservative process, and finally the wrapping 

 of the body in bandages of cloth dipt in gum, are all the particulars 

 related by Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus concerning the first and 

 most expensive mode of embalming amongst the Egyptians, and 

 that every one of them is exemplified in the mummy we are now- 

 describing." 



This portion of the work is followed by an account of the mytho- 

 logical paintings which decorate the coffin and coffin-lid, as well as 

 the upper part of the inner wooden covering. In explaining these 

 devices, as well as in deciphering the inscriptions with which they are 

 mingled, Mr. Osburn altogether follows the system of M. Champol- 

 lion, being entirely convinced, he observes, of the correctness of the 

 principle upon which it is founded. At the head of the coffin is the 

 goddess Isis, accompanied by the four genii o? Amente, (the Egyptian 

 Tartarus, or place of separate spirits,) commonly called the four 

 Canopi. The sides are each divided into ten compartments or 

 shrines, every one of which contains the representation of one or 

 more Egyptian divinities, having an altar with offerings before them, 

 and ahieroglyphical inscription, consisting of a prayer addressed to 

 tliem on behalf of the deceased. On each side of the head is the 

 god whose hieroglyphical name is Ptah Socri, or *9a, as written by 

 the Greek authors, accompanied by his wife Hatkor i these answer 

 respectively to the 'Htpccts'os or Vulcan and to the Venus of the 

 Greek mythology. All these figures Mr, Osburn explains in detail. 

 At the foot of the coffin is the symbol of Ptah, called the Nilometer, 

 and on each side of it are the sister goddesses Isis and Nephtiiys. 



The devices upon the lid are also very numerous. Upon the tnroat 

 is the Scarabaeus with extended wings, and along the arms are a 

 number of sitting figures, probably representing part of the forty-two 

 assessors of Osiris, in his character of lord of Amente and judge and 

 king of souls. Immediately below the arms is the ship or bark of 

 the Sun resting upon the symbol of heaven, which is in its turn sup- 

 ported by the outstretched wings of the goddess Ndpe or Rhea, 

 who is represented in a kneeling posture immediately beneath it. 

 Three long inscriptions extend from the waist to the end of the toe. 

 From these, transverse bands of hieroglyphical inscriptions pass to 

 a similar inscription round the edge of the lid, dividing the spaces 

 on both sides into five compartments, in each of which the deceased 

 is represented worshipping different divinities. All these devices 

 are particularly described in the work. 



The god Thoth, or Hermes, called, in the accompanying hiero- 

 glyphical text, « Thothy Lord of Sacred Characters,' is represented 

 three times on the coffin and twice on the lid, in his office of inter- 

 cessor 



