252 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
also show some “concavity” inform. “ The workmanship” (he 
elsewhere describes) “ of the inside is in advance of the outside, but 
yet not perfect.” For internally there is a convergence at the 
bottom towards the centre; both in length and in breadth the 
interior differs about half-an-inch at one point from another point ; 
the “ extreme points (also) of the corners of the bottom not being 
perfectly worked out to the intersection of the general planes of the 
entire sides ; and thus its cavity seems really of a form utterly 
unmeasurable in a correct way by mere lineal measurement — the 
only measure yet attempted. If it were an object of the slightest 
moment, perhaps liquid measurements would be more successful. 
(6.) Coffer cut with ledges and catcli-holes for a lid , like other 
sarcophagi. — More damaging details still remain in relation to the 
coffer as “ a grand standard measure of capacity,” and proving 
that its object or function was very different. In his first work 
Prof. Smyth describes the coffer as showing no “ symptoms ” what- 
ever of grooves or catchpins or other fastenings for a lid. “ More 
modern accounts,” he re-observes, “have been further precise in de- 
scribing the smooth and geometrical finish of the upper part of the 
coffer’s sides, without any of those grooves, dovetails, or steady-pin- 
holes which have been found elsewhere in true polished sarcophagi, 
where the firm fastening of the lid is one of the most essential 
features of the whole business.” Mr Perring, however, delineated 
the catchpin-holes for a lid in the coffer thirty years ago.* On his 
late visit to it Prof. Smyth found its western side lowered down in 
its whole extent to nearly an inch and three-quarters (or more ex- 
actly, 1*72 inch), and ledges cut out around the interior of the other 
sides at the same height. Should we measure on this western side 
from this actual ledge brim, or from the imaginary higher brim? 
If reckoned as the true brim, “ this ledge ” (according to Professor 
Smyth) would “ take away near 4000 inches from the cubic capa- 
city of the vessel.” Besides, he found three holes cut on the top 
of the coffer’s lowered western side, as in all the other Egyptian 
* See Plate III. fig. 1, in his great folio work on the “ Pyramids of Gizeh 
from Actual Survey and Admeasurement,” Lond. 1839. “ The sarcophagus 
is,” he remarks, “ of granite, not particularly well polished; at present it is 
chipped and broken at the edges. There are not any remains of the lid, 
which was, however , fitted on in the same manner as those of the other 
pyramids.” 
