289 
Egyptian mummies, 
Brodie, who took notes of the dissection, and Mr. Hatchett, 
have stated to me, that there were none of the viscera in the 
mummy in question ; that it was not in a flexible state, and that 
the muscles could scarcely be distinguished. Sir E. Home 
himself, on the other hand, cannot tax his memory as to the 
precise parts discovered, the dissection not having been com- 
pleted, in consequence of the remains of the mummy being 
destroyed in some of the souterrains of the College, from the 
ettect of dampness in a newly erected building. Mr. Clift 
mentioned to me that the external parts of generation were 
perfect ; and Sir Everard recollects that the face was in a 
high state of preservation. If so, it is to be lamented that a 
circumstance, over which Sir Everard had no control, should 
have prevented him from prosecuting an enquiry, which no 
man could have rendered more instructive ; and the pub- 
lication of which would probably have done away with the 
necessity of the present communication to the Society. 
Sir Everard Home made some observations on another 
mummy brought from Thebes by the late Captain Kennet, 
of the Engineers, in 1806; the particulars of which he has 
kindly communicated to me. The mummy in this instance 
was that of a male ; and, as far as could be judged from ex- 
ternal appearances, seemed to be in good condition. No 
internal examination was permitted. The head had not the 
appearance of that of an African. The face was entirely ex- 
posed, as well as the chest, and the anterior part of the 
abdomen. The skin was entire in all these places. On the 
upper part of the head, as also on the chin, the hair was 
preserved. The teeth were perfect, and the skin was nearly 
quite black, a circumstance, which Sir Everard thinks, 
