[ 46 7 ] 



Thus far Mr. Cullum's account, by which it ap- 

 pears, that the vifcera of the abdomen had been taken 

 out, fo that the greateft part of the blood, he ob- 

 ferves, did probably flow out, during that opera- 

 tion j from the mouths of the divided vefTels, and 

 whofe diameter is coniiderable. This would greatly 

 reduce the quantity of the fluids. The holes in the 

 coffin, if purpofely made, would feem defigned to 

 let out extravafated or tranfuding fluids j but are ir~ 

 reeoncileable with the notion of the body being in 

 pickle. If the holes were accidental, the notion of a 

 pickle may {fill be allowed. Might not the cere- 

 cloth, impregnated, perhaps, with gums or refins, 

 and, from its taking (o exact an impreffion, moft pro- 

 bably laid on hot preclude the external air ; and, if 

 done immediately after the party's death, obviate the 

 depofition of eggs, or incapacitate them from ever 

 hatching ? The lead grafping clofe, would co-oper- 

 ate with the cere-cloth in the exclulion of air and in- 

 fers. 



We have undoubted accounts of bodies found very 

 little changed, after long interment, where there was 

 no appearance of any art having been ufed. And there 

 is no doubt fome constitutions are more prone to pu- 

 trefaction after death than others ; thefe circum- 

 ftances may be dependant on the age, fex, and lail 

 difeafe; to which predifpofing caufes, thus attending 

 perfons to the grave, are to be added the foil and fi- 

 tuation in which they are deposited. Could we be 

 matters of all thefe particulars, in the few dead bodies 

 hitherto difcovered greatly free from the ufual putre- 

 faction, it would lead, perhaps, to the probable 



O o o 2 caufe 



