Egyptian mummies. 277 
of Europe, of fastening the two great toes by means of a 
piece of rag or tape. 
Numerous and deep wrinkles appeared on the integu- 
ments of the abdomen, denoting that before death, this part of 
the body must have had very considerable dimensions ; a con- 
jecture, the correctness of which subsequent inquiries have 
completely demonstrated. 
All these general appearances are well marked in Plate 
XIX. 
The general surface of the body is of a deep brown colour, 
approaching to black, and is quite dry. In parts where the 
larger muscles lie, as the thighs for instance, the surface 
feels quite soft to the touch, and the muscles yield slightly to 
pressure. The cuticle appears to have been removed through- 
out, except at the extreme points of the fingers and toes, 
where it can yet be seen curled up, retaining the nails, of 
a deep brown colour, in their situation. Some of these, how- 
ever, quitted their fastening when the slightest attempt was 
made to detach them. 
The dimensions of the mummy appeared to me to deserve 
the next consideration ; and they were taken with great 
accuracy. Such an opportunity as that before me, of ascer- 
taining the size and proportions of an Egyptian woman, who 
had probably lived before the building of the pyramids of 
Memphis, could not be allowed to escape ; especially as no 
admeasurement of a really perfect female mummy has been 
recorded in modern times. I deemed it, therefore, an object of 
importance 121 the study of the natural history of man, to 
have those admeasurements ascertained with precision. It is 
well known, that the Egyptian form has been assumed as 
