ANIMALS. 133 



mediately succeeding the interment, are usually 

 those in which the body is most liable to decay. 

 It appears also to be a much more perfect method 

 of embalming than that of the Egyptians ; as in 

 this the flesh continues with its natural elasticity 

 and colour, the bowels remain entire, and the 

 joints have almost the pliancy which they had 

 when the person was alive. Upon the whole, it 

 is probable that a much less tedious preparation 

 than that used by the Egyptians would have suf- 

 ficed to keep the body from putrefaction ; and 

 that an injection of petreoleum inwardly, and a 

 layer of asphaltum without, would have sufficed 

 to have made a mummy; and it is remarkable 

 that Auvergne, where this was found, affords 

 these two substances in sufficient plenty. This 

 art, therefore, might be brought to greater per- 

 fection than it has arrived at hitherto, were the 

 art worth preserving. But mankind have long 

 since grown wiser in this respect, and think it 

 unnecessary to keep by them a deformed carcass, 

 which, instead of aiding their magnificence, must 

 only serve to mortify their pride. 



CHAPTER IX. 



OF ANIMALS. 



LEAVING man, we now descend to the lower ranks 

 of animated nature, and prepare to examine the 

 life, manners, and characters of these our humble 



