88 [Assembly 



which will confine the use of rags to a mere admixture with other 

 bases. 



The supply of linen rags would not be limited to the mummies 

 of the human species alone ; independent of that obtainable from 

 this source, a more than equal quantity could be depended on 

 from the mummies of the sacred bulls, (symbol of Apis,) croco- 

 diles, ibides and cats, which last animals occupied a high position 

 in their domestic theology, symbolizing the various phases of the 

 moon in the pupil of the eye contracting and expanding. They 

 were highly cared for by a body of priests ordained especially for 

 their service, were most bountifully fed on a small species of cat- 

 fish, (silura, or slyfish,) and when dead were spiced, embalmed 

 and swathed in a superior quality of linen, potted in earthen- 

 ware jars of quaint leline shapes, and deposited in sepulchres pre- 

 pared expressly for them at Sakkarah. (Vide Dr. Abbott's col- 

 lection in this city.) 



The crocodiles were equally carefully provided for, being 

 tongueless alive, they were deified as the emblem of mystery, the 

 most salient feature of the Egyptian theology, and were orna- 

 mented with ear rings, bracelets and anklets, and when defunct 

 were swaddled in enormous folds of bandages, and consigned to 

 their special sepulchres at Maabdeh and Manfalout. 



The spoliation of the tombs of the sacred bulls at Dashour has 

 been steadily progressing for years, in order to procure bones for 

 animal charcoal for the sugar refineries in Lower Egypt at Sarut, 

 and it is not unusual to daily witness scores of camels laden with 

 their remains wending their way to the factories for its prepara- 

 tion, where being charred it is successfully employed in clarify- 

 ing the juice and syrup, and it is not unreasonable to suppose, 

 from their proximity to the human mummy pits, that cargoes of 

 these latter bones are frequently substituted, and with similar 

 success. The quantity of the cloth stripped from these animals 

 is enormous, and in excellent condition, and is either left at the 

 pits or used as fuel at the factories, while the supply still remain- 

 ing m situ is beyond calculation, and could be secured at a tri- 

 fling cost. 



