128 HISTORY OF 



with his arms stretched out. There are others 

 found, and these in the greatest number, in 

 wooden coffins, or in clothes covered with bitu- 

 men. These coffins, or wrappers, are covered 

 all over with a variety of ornaments. There are 

 some of them painted, and adorned with figures, 

 such as that of death, and with leaden seals, on 

 which several characters are engraven. Some of 

 these coffins are carved into the human shape ; 

 but the head alone is distinguishable ; the rest of 

 the body is all of a piece, and terminated by a 

 pedestal, while there are some with their arms 

 hanging down ; and it is by these marks that the 

 bodies of persons of rank are distinguished from 

 those of the meaner order. These are generally 

 found lying on the floor, without any profusion 

 of ornaments ; and in some chambers the mum- 

 mies are found indiscriminately piled upon each 

 other, and buried in the sand. 



Many mummies are found lying on their 

 backs ; their heads turned to the north, and 

 their hands placed on the belly. The bands of 

 linen with which these are swathed are found 

 to be more than a thousand yards long ; and, of 

 consequence, the number of circumvolutions they 

 make about the body must have been amazing. 

 These were performed by beginning at the head, 

 and ending at the feet ; but they contrived it so 

 as to avoid covering the face. However, when 

 the face is entirely uncovered, it moulders into 

 dust immediately upon the admission of the air. 

 When, therefore, it is preserved entire, a slight 

 covering of cloth is so disposed over it, as that 



