applied to Public Cemeteries 



161 



Fig. 41. Elevation of the 

 End B in fig. 38. . 



Fig. 41. is an elevation of 

 the end b. 



Fig. 42. is an elevation of 

 the end c, which is two inches 

 shorter than the end b. 



Fig. 43. is a section on 

 the line b c, showing the 

 side X : i i are rings for 



Fig. 42. Elevation of the End 

 c in fig. 38., which is 2 in. 

 shorter than the End b. 



inside elevation of the 



pulling out the side boards ; e e, pins and ejes for fastening the ends to 



the sides ; h k are the stiffening plates. 



n 



Fig. 43. Section on the Line B c in fig. 38., showing the Side A. 



2^/^.44. is a section on the line bc, showing the inside elevation of the side 

 D ; k, an iron hasp which locks the two leaves of the side d, and prevents 

 them from being pressed inwards. A latch of this kind is fixed on every 

 other board on each side of the grave ; and thus, when the board having the 

 latch is loosened, the ends and the opposite board {fig. 40. a) readily drop 

 out. The scale shown in this figure applies to it and to the preceding seven 

 fiffures. 



' iiii 1 1 'I. 



r/.^- 



Fig. 44. Section on the Line B c in fig. Z^., showing the Elevation of the Side D. 



As the grave is being dug, one tier of boards fastened together, as shown 

 in^g. 38., is first let down, like the kerb of a well in well-sinking; and as 

 the work proceeds, and this frame sinks, another is placed over it, to sink in 

 its turn ; and so on, introducing one frame of boards after another, till the 

 grave is dug to the proper depth. The last 18 or 20 inches at the bottom of 

 the grave are not dug out quite so wide as all above, in consequence of 

 which the boards do not go just so deep as the top of the coffin after it 

 has been lowered. This admits of more readily taking out the boards, which 

 is done by driving out the hasps h, and the pins e, beginning at the bottom 

 and working upwards as the grave is filled. When the coffin is lowered, 

 settled in its place, and the lowering ropes drawn out, the grave-digger de- 

 scends to the bottom, and with a hammer drives out one of the hasps, which 

 instantly loosens that board, allows of taking out the two ends, and conse- 

 quently loosens the opposite one. In this wa}' he proceeds from the bottom 

 to the top, filling in the soil as he goes on. 



The manner in which the grave-boards are kept in their position at Mussel- 

 burgh, near Edinburgh, differs from that employed in most places, and is in 

 some, if not in all. resj)ects superior to it. It is the invention of Mr. Robert 

 Gay, a smith in Musselburgh, and the superintendant of the burying-ground 

 there. It consists in the application of the instrument shown in fig. 45., 

 which about Edinburgh is called a dumcraft, and about London a screw lever. 

 Two of these instruments, with the iron plates, spear nails, &c., screwed to 

 the planks, which cost about 6.?. 6f/. each, are required for eveiy pair of boards, 

 one being applied at each end. A pair of boards, with a pair of dumcrafts 

 fitted up complete, cost at Musselburgh from 20*. to 22.?. The iron is made of 

 f-inch rod, with a male screw at one end working in a female screw, to which 



M 3 



