r 17 ] 



fome of thofe fmall earthen Idols, which 

 are already mentioned to be put by the 

 Embaimers into the Cavities of the Bo- 

 dy : Great Numbers of them are dug out 

 of the Ground on the Eaft Side of the 

 River Nile^ near Cairo in Egypt ^ being the 

 Spot where the Mummies were depolited. 



On the Breaft of the Coffin (it being of 

 the Shape of a Mummy) is a Figure re- 

 prefenting the Goddefs IJis^ the Flowers 

 of the Water-lilly ( Lotus) round its Neck ; 

 and over the whole Forefide is a very 

 great Variety of Hieroglyphics, Figures 

 rudely defigned, and Egyptian Charaders, 

 only underftood by their Priefts and learn- 

 ed Men, but which the Antiquaries of thefe 

 later Times can no ways explain. On the 

 Back of the Coffin, (which may be turned 

 at Pleafure) is another Figure,of IJts^ hav- 

 ing an Ibis on her head. The Ibis was a 

 Bird of Prey, held in great Veneration by 

 the Egyptians^ becaufe it deftroyed the 

 Vermin that were yearly produced by the 

 overflowing of the Nik : When it died, 



they 



