[ 467 ] 
Thus far Mr. Cullum’s account, by which it ap- 
pears, that the vifcera of the abdomen had been taken 
out, fo that the greatefl part of the blood, he ob- 
serves, did probably flow out, during that opera- 
tion, from the mouths of the divided veffels, and 
whofe diameter is confiderable. This would greatly 
reduce the quantity of the fluids. The holes in the 
coffin, if purpofely made, would feem defigned to 
let out extravafated or tranfuding fluids ; but are ir- 
reconcileable with the notion of the body being in 
pickle. If the holes were accidental, the notion of a 
pickle may ffill be allowed. Might not the cere- 
cloth, impregnated, perhaps, with gums or refins, 
and, from its taking fo exaCt an impreliion, moft pro- 
bably laid on hot preclude the external air; and, if 
done immediately after the party’s death, obviate the 
depofition of eggs, or incapacitate them from ever 
hatching ? The lead grafping clofe, would co-oper- 
ate with the cere-cloth in the exclufion of air and in- 
fers. 
We have undoubted accounts of bodies found very 
little changed, after long interment, where there was 
no appearance of any art having been ufed. And there 
is no doubt fome conftitutions are more prone to pu- 
trefaction after death than others; thefe circum- 
ftances may be dependant on the age, fex, and laffc 
difeafe; to which predifpofing caufes, thus attending 
perfons to the grave, are to be added the foil and fi- 
tuation in which they are depofited. Could we be 
mailers of all thefe particulars, in the few dead bodies 
hitherto difeovered greatly free from the ufual putre- 
faction, it would lead, perhaps, to the probable 
O o o 2 caufe 
