Egyptian mummies. soi 
The next points of inquiry to which I directed my attention 
were, First, to discover, if possible, the method by which 
this perfect specimen of Egyptian mummies had been pre- 
served. Secondly, to ascertain how far the description given 
by ancient writers of the art of embalming among the Egyp- 
tians, applied to the present specimen. And lastly, to deter- 
mine the nature of the substances employed for the purpose. 
In pursuing this investigation, -I flattered myself that the 
Royal Society would consider it as something more than a 
mere object of useless curiosity. 
In order to carry on my inquiry respecting the three points 
above-mentioned with that precision which alone could lead 
to a satisfactory conclusion, I proceeded to note down all the 
principal facts resulting from a close examination of the 
mummy, as detailed in this paper ; next to ask myself how 
those facts could be explained ; and lastly, if explained, whe- 
ther the facts themselves could be reproduced by following 
the method which the explanation might point out. I shall 
leave it to the Society to determine, whether I have been 
successful in my attempt. 
The first fact to be noticed, in regard to the preparation of 
the mummy, is the chestnut brown tint of all the bandages, 
denoting the presence of some colouring matter in them, 
the nature of which it was important to ascertain, in order to 
judge of the intention of those who employed it. For this 
purpose I made a few experiments with .portions of the ban- 
dages taken from different parts of the body, when it was 
found that they had all been steeped in some vegetable solu- 
tion, which, when treated with gelatine, exhibited the pre- 
sence of tannin in considerable quantity, a circumstance far-* 
