The second mode of embalming cost about 20 minaj. In this case no incision was made in the bod}', nor were the intestines removed, but cedar-oil was injected into the stomach by the rectum. The oil was pre- vented from escaping, and the body was then steeped in natron for the appointed number of days. On the last day the oil was withdrawn, and carried off with it the stoniacli and intestines in a state of solution, while tiie flesh was consumed by the natron, and notliing was left but the skin and bones. The body in this state was returned to the relatives of tlie deceased.
The third mode, which was adopted by the poorer classes, and cost but little, consisted in rinsing out the intestines with syrma^a, an infusion of senna and cas- sia (I'ottigrew, Hist, oj" Mumviies, p. C9), and steeping the body for the usual number of days in natron.
Although the three modes of embalming are so pre- cisely described by Herodotus, it has been found im- possible to classify the mummies which liave been dis- covered and examined under one or other of these three heads. Pettigrew, from his own observations, confirms the truth of Herodotus's statement that the brain was removed through the nostrils. But in many instances, in which the body was carefully preserved
and elaborately ornamented, the brain had not been removed at all, while in some mummies the cavity was found to be filled with resinous and bituminous matter. M. Rouyer, in his Notice sur ks Embuume- ments des Anciens Eyyptiens (^Description de V Ecjypte.^ p. 471), endeavored to class the mummies whicli he ex- amined under two principal divisions, which were again subdivided into others. These were, I. IMum- mies with the ventral incision, preserved, 1, by bal- samic matter, and, 2, by natron. The first of these are filled with a mixture of resin and aromatics, and arc of an olive color — the skin dry, flexible, and adhering to the bones. Others are filled with bitumen or as- phaltum, and are black, the skin hard and shining. Those prepared with natron are also filled with resin- ous substances and bitumen. II. Mummies without the ventral incision. This class is again subdivided, according as the bodies were, 1, salted and filled with pisasphaltum, a compound of asphaltum and common pitch ; or, 2, salted only. The former are supposed to have been immersed in the pitch when in a liquid state. The medicaments employed in eml)alming were various. From a chemical analysis of the sub- stances found in mummies, M. Rouelle detected three modes of emlialming : 1, with asphaltum, or Jew's pitch, called aXso fmufral gum, ox gum of mummies ; 2, with a mixture of asphaltum and cedria, the liquor dis- tilled from the cedar; 3, with this mixture, together with some resinous and aromatic ingredients. The powdered aromatics mentioned by Herodotus were not mixed with the bituminous matter, but sprinkled into the cavities of the body. Pettigrew supposes that af- ter the spicing "the body must have been subjected to a very considerable degree of heat ; for the resinous and aromatic substances iiave penetrated even into the innermost structure of the bones, an effect which could not have been produced without the aid of a high temperature, and which was absolutely necessary for the entire preservation of the body" (p. G2). M. Rouyer is of the same opinion (p. 471). The surface of the body was in one example covered with ''a coat- ing of the dust of woods and barks, nowhere less than one inch in thickness," which ''had the smell of cin- namon or cassia" (Pettigrew, p. 62, 63). At this same stage plates of gold were sometimes applied to portions of the body, or even its whole surface. Before en- wrapping, the body was always placed at full length, with no variety save in the position of the arms.
The principal embalming material in the more cost- ly mummies appears to have been asphalt, either alone or mixed with a vegetable liquor, or so mixed with the addition of resinous and aromatic ingredients. Petti- grew supposes resinous matters were used as a kind of varnish for the body, and that pounded aromatics were sprinlded in the cavities within. The natron, in a st)- lution of which the mummies were placed in every method, appears to liave lieen a fixed alkali. It might be obtained from the Natron Lakes and like places in the Libyan desert. AVax has also been discovered (Pettigrew's History, p. 75 sq.).
3. The embalming having been completed, the body was wrapped in bandages. There has been much dif- ficulty as to the material ; but it seems certain that linen was invariably used. Though always long, they vary in this respect ; and we know no authenticated instance of their exceeding 700 yards, though much greater measures are mentioned. The width is also ver}' various, but it is generally not more than seven or eight inches. The quantity of cloth used is best ascertained from the weight. The texture varies, in the cases of single mummies, the coarser material be- ing always nearer to the bodv. The bandages are found to have been saturated with asphalt, resin, gum, or natron ; but the asphalt has only been traced in those nearest the body : probably the saturation is due to the preparation of the mummies, and does not indi- cate any special preparation of the clothes. The beau-