DERIVED FROM ANATOMY, HISTORY, AND THE MONUMENTS. 115 
as well as with the monumental evidences of every epoch. Belzoni obtained platted 
hair from the Theban catacombs eighteen inches in length; and M. Villoteau mentions 
another instance, from the same tombs, in which the tresses must have reached to the 
waist. Entire wigs of the same character are preserved, as every one knows, in the 
British and Berlin museums; and I also possess, through the kindness of Mr. Gliddon, 
a portion of a similar relic from Thebes, which is elaborately wrought into a great num- 
ber of long and most delicate tresses. 
These facts lead to a few observations on the celebrated passage of Herodotus, who, when 
speaking of the Colchians, gives, among other proofs of their Egyptian lineage, that they 
“were black, and had short curling hair.” MeAayyeoes xow ovdAoreryes. The above transla- 
tion, which is that of the learned Beloe, expresses, in respect to the mode of wearing the 
hair, precisely what is verified by my observations; for in nearly all the Caucasian heads 
on which it has been allowed to grow, it is remarkable for a profusion of short curls of 
extreme fineness,—a character which is preserved in several of the accompanying deli- 
neations. 
Herodotus farther tells us that the Egyptians kept their heads shaved; or perhaps 
he might have said with more precision, closely cut. But while the priests conformed 
to this rule, we are certain, from the foregoing facts, that there was a diversity of usage 
among the other classes, which is also proved by another passage in the same historian; 
for he assures us that “you see fewer bald in Egypt than in any other country.”” Now 
if the Egyptians of all classes kept their heads shaved, it would be difficult to ascertain, 
and yet more difficult to see whether they were subject to natural baldness or not. 
Again, if Herodotus had not been accustomed to observe the Egyptians wearing their 
hair, how could he have compared them in this respect to the people of Colchis? 
The same author informs us that the inhabitants of Egypt permitted their hair to grow 
as a badge of mourning; an observation which is every where corroborated in monumen- 
tal funereal scenes. ‘This observation, however, was probably for a comparatively short 
period, and will not account for the frequent occurrence of long hair among the mummies 
of all classes. It is mentioned in history that among other indignities which Cambyses 
offered to the embalmed body of King Amasis, was that of tearing the hair from his 
head. 
The monuments afford abundant proof that among the Egyp- 
tians, from the highest to the lowest castes, it was not unusual 
to wear the hair long. ‘The marginal drawing represents a rus- 
tic, (one of six on the monument, ) who is engaged in a wrestling 
match. And it is hardly to be supposed that the profusion of hair 
with which his head is covered, can be any other than the natu- 
ral growth.* A man thus occupied would find a difficulty in 
keeping a wig on his head. 
So also with another from a tomb at Thebes, wherein a car- 
penter of pleasing but rather effeminate physiognomy, is engaged 
in the labours of his art. 
* Rosellini, M. R. Plate 102, Fig. 47, 
+ Idem, M. C. Plate 43, Fig. 45. 
