CHAP. XVI. QUALITIES OF MUMMIES. 469 



sometimes, in lieu of them, a plate of lead, or other 

 material, bearing upon it a representation of these 

 four figures. Over the incision the mysterious eye 

 of Osiris (?) was placed, whether the intestines were 

 returned or deposited in the vases. 



I have stated * that many different gradations 

 existed in the three classes of mummies ; if indeed 

 they can be limited to tliat number. They may be 

 arranged under two general heads t : — 



I. Those with the ventral incision. 



II. Those without any incision. 



I. Of the mummies with the incision are, 



1. Those preserved by balsamic matter. 



2. Those preserved by natron. 



1. Those dried by balsamic and astringent sub- 

 stances are either filled with a mixture of resin and 

 aromatics, or with asphaltum t and pure bitumen. 



When filled with resinous matter they are of 

 an olive colour : the skin dry, flexible, and as if 

 tanned ; retracted and adherent to the bones. The 

 features are preserved, and appear as during life. 

 The belly and chest are filled with resins, partly 

 soluble in spirits of wine. These substances have no 

 particular odour by which they can be recognised j 

 but thrown upon hot coals a thick smoke is pro- 



* Supra, p. 456. 



■\ Vide Pettigrew, p. 70. ; from whom these observations are taken. 

 He cites M.Rouger's " Notice sur les Embauments des Anciens Egyp- 

 tiens." 



X " When the asphaltum incorporates with the body it becomes 

 brown and greasy, and easily crumbles into powder ;■ when it does not 

 incorporate with the flesh it retains its shining black colour." 



H H 3 



