ANIMALS. 



since different nations have all succeeded in the 

 attempt. We have an example of this kind among 

 the Guanches, the ancient inhabitants of the island 

 of Teneriffe. Those who survived the general des- 

 truction of this people by the Spaniards, when they 

 conquered this island, informed them, that the art 

 of embalming was still preserved there ; and that 

 there was a tribe of priests among them possessed 

 of the secret, which they kept concealed as a sa- 

 cred mystery. As the greatest part of the nation 

 was destroyed, the Spaniards could not arrive at a 

 complete knowledge of this art ; they only found 

 out a few of the particulars. Having taken out 

 the bowels, they washed the body several times 

 in a ley made of the dried bark of the pine tree, 

 warmed during the summer by the sun, or by a 

 stove in the winter. They afterwards anointed it 

 with butter, or the fat of bears, which they had 

 previously boiled with odoriferous herbs, such as 

 sage and lavender. After this unction, they suf- 

 fered the body to dry, and then repeated the 

 operation as often as it was necessary, until the 

 whole substance was impregnated with the prepa- 

 ration. When it was become very light, it was 

 then a certain sign that it was right, and properly 

 prepared. They then rolled it up in the dried 

 skins of goats, which, when they had a mind to 

 save expense, they suffered to remain with the 

 hair still growing upon them. Purchas assures 

 us, that he has seen mummies of this kind in 

 London ; and mentions the name of a gentleman 

 who had seen several of them in the island pf 

 Teneriffe, which were supposed to have been two 



