1834.] Topes near Jeldldbdd, $c. 573 



not originally placed in the urns ; but that it came over by a species of 

 distillation into the empty space of the vases, on the alternate heating 

 and cooling of the air contained in them. The researches of M. M. 

 Ventura and Court may give reasons for thinking the contrary. 



" The deposit on the side of the large vase was a dry flea-brown powder, con- 

 taining a few white specks. It was combustible with a very feeble flame, burning 

 like ill-made tinder or charred matter. It left a little pale light ash, containing 

 carbonated alkali, carbonate of lime, and a little insoluble earth. This substance 

 gave no trace of ammonia by heat. It is probably the result left upon the decay 

 of organic matter, but of what nature, or in what situation that may have been, 

 I cannot say. 



"The liquor was a dilute solution of the same kind of matter, (4.2 grains to a fluid 

 ounce :) this when dried and heated, did yield a little ammonia ; it blackened, but 

 did not burn visibly." 



"A third bottle was found to contain a fatty substance like stearic acid, melting 

 under 212°, burning with a bright flame, and leaving little ash. It was dark-brown 

 ou the exterior, and yellowish and semi-transparent in the middle : the brown co- 

 loring matter was separated by dissolving the fat in alcohol — it was supposed to be 

 the residue of albuminous or gelatinous matter, but it yielded no trace of am- 

 monia." 



Mr. Gage, the author of the description, imagines the liquid to have 

 been lustral water, poured in at the time of depositing the bones and 

 funeral ashes. The pieces of fused glass adhering to the burnt bones, and 

 the liquid, recalled to him Virgil's description of the funeral pile of 

 Misenus. 



Congesta cremantur 



Thurea dona, dapes, fuso crateres olivo. 

 Postquam collapsi cineres et flamma quievit, 

 Reliquias vino et bibulam lav6re favillam : 

 Ossaque lecta cado texit Chorinseus aheno. 

 The dark- brown incrusted powder of the outside of the urn was in 

 the same manner referred to a decayed wreath of yew, or other dark 

 vegetable, depicted in the lines. 



■ Cui frondibus atris 



Intexunt latera et ferales ante cupressos 

 Constituunt. JEneid, vi. 215. 



The offerings at funeral sacrifices among the Romans consisted of 

 milk, wine, blood, and such other munera as were supposed to be 

 grateful to the deceased : — money was usually added to defray the 

 charges of Charon's ferry. 



The reader may compare this description with the extracts from 

 Colebrooke ; before given, and draw his own conclusions. 



As the opinions of all those who have visited the countries where 

 these monuments lie, are particularly deserving of attention, I cannot 



