360 " Miscellanies. 



covered a carbonized substance, that upon closer investigation pro- 

 ved to have been originally animal matter, and to have been car- 

 bonized by the scorching heat of the sand. He afterwards discov- 

 ered an entire human carcass, partly black, partly of a sooty hue, 

 about a third less than the ordinary size of man, and all perfectly 

 carbonized. It occurred to him that this accidental process of na- 

 ture, might be imitated by art, to the perfect preservation of animal 

 substances. To discover how, occupied now his whole attention. 

 At the end of some months, devoted to this pursuit, the happy 

 thought flashed upon his mind, which was to lead him to the dis- 

 covery of the desired secret. Compelled to return to Italy, by a 

 dangerous malady brought on by nearly a week's exposure to an 

 unwholesome atmosphere, in a pyramid of Abu-Sir, which he had 

 entered for the purpose of extending his scientific researches, he was 

 obliged to intermit for a time his favorite pursuit ; but after regain- 

 ing his health, he again gave himself to it with renewed ardor ; and 

 after a short time succeeded, to the highest degree of his most san- 

 guine expectations. 



The following are some of the results obtained by the discovery. 



Entire animal bodies yield as readily to the process, as small por- 

 tions. They become hard, taking a consistency entirely stony. 

 The skin, muscles, nerves, veins, blood, he, all undergo this won- 

 derful change ; and to effect this, it is not necessary to remove afay 

 part of the viscera. The color, forms and general characters of the 

 parts remain the same. Offensive substances lose their smell. Pu- 

 trefaction is checked at once. What is most wonderful of all, is 

 that if the process be carried only to a given degree, the joints re- 

 main perfectly flexible. Skeletons even remain united by their own 

 natural ligaments, which become sohd, although they retain their 

 pliancy. Moisture and insects never injure them. Their volume 

 diminishes a little ; the weight remains almost the same. Hair con- 

 tinues firm in its place, and retains its natural appearance. Birds 

 and fishes lose neither their feathers, membranes, scales, nor colors. 

 The insect preserves its minutest appendage. The eyes in most an- 

 imals, sparkle as in life, and from their want of motion alone would 

 you suppose vitality extinct. 



The following are some of the objects, that have been subjected 

 to the petrifying process, and are now exhibited in the studio of 

 Sig. Segato. One of the first of his experiments, was performed 

 upon a Canary bird,- (Fringilla Canaria, Lin.) It is still preserved 



