2 
Of Humane Rarities. Part I. 
as one on the Bread, another on the Belly, and fo on all 
the principal Parts. On each of thefe pieces is laid a white 
Paint,of a kind of chalky or limy fubftance,of the thicknefs 
of a Hen-Egg-lhell. Upon this chalky ground are drawn 
the Hieroglyphick Figures of Men, Women and Birds 5 in 
Gold, yellow, red and blew. But with very rude fhapes, 
and the Colours no where mixed together. So very mean 
was the Art of Painting amongft the /Egyptians here- 
tofore. For we have reafon to believe, that what was 
done for one of their Kings or Nobles, was done with their 
beft skill. 
The middlemoft Cover confifteth of one Angle and 
entire piece of Linnen, almoft like a Winding-fheet. It is 
alfo tinged with fome kind of Paint, but very lightly, and 
without any Figures. 
The inmoft Covering is wrapped round about the Head, 
Trunk, each Arm, and each Leg apart, about thirty or 
forty times, like fo many fwathing Bands. About twenty 
of the utmoft of thefe folds are lightly tinged, all the other 
inmoft more fully ,with a blackifh and gummous fubftance. 
But the Flefh fo fully, as it feems to be converted into a 
black Rofin 5 which being held to the flame of a Candle, is 
a little odorous and inflamable. The Bones alfo,are not only 
outwardly, but alfo quite through of a black colour, as if 
they were burnt. 
From hence it is very probable, That the way of Em- 
balming amongft the Egyptians, was by boiling the Body 
(in a long Cauldron like a Fifh-kettle) in fome kind of liquid 
Balfome$ folong, till the aqueous parts of the flefh being 
evaporated, the oily and gummous parts of the Balfome did 
by degrees foak into it, and intimately incorporate there- 
with. Much after the fame manner, as the Sugar doth, in 
the conditing of Pears, Quinces, and the like. 
Tis alfo likely, that a better way might be taken, than 
this ufed by the /Egyptians. And that is, by boyling, or 
rather foaking the Body in fome white fort of Oyl, and 
fuch as will dry, ( as that of Walnuts ) made and kept 
fo hot, as to evaporate the watery parts by degrees, and to 
keep the flefh white, and not brittle, but limber and plient. 
Which, efpecially in the buflnefs of Anatomy, would be 
of good ufe : becaufe, that all the Mufcules of the Body, 
'-ypM being 
■ til 
