Chapter I

OF EMBALMING IN GENERAL, p. 21--Tendency of bodies to
decomposition--Variable, according to countries, species, and
individuals--Fact reported by Ammien Marcellin--Consequences
deducible from it, for the natives of hot countries--for temperate
and cold countries--Facts observed by Maillet--Astonishing analogy
observed in the caverns of Saint Michel, at Bordeaux--Various
processes of embalming--With gum--With honey--With wax--The
embalming of Alexander--Of Agesilas--Brine unknown--Fact
of _Tulliola_, reported by Coelius Rodiginus--Another
by Valateron--Embalming with aromatic and astringent
substances--With resinous and bituminous substances--Empyricism
of the moderns--Process of Ruysch, of Swammerdam--Note of
Strader--Appreciation of these methods--Useful deductions to be
drawn from them--Penicher thinks it impossible to embalm without
emptying the large cavities--Fact in support of his opinion--My
experiments to this effect on infants.

CHAPTER II.

NATURAL MUMMIES, p. 35.--Power of nature--Importance of seeking her
ways in the study of her phenomena; to follow her lessons--Division
of natural mummies--Mummies due to the particular qualities of
the soil--Note communicated by Drs. Boucherie, Bermont, and
Gaubert, concerning the mummies of Saint Michel, at Bordeaux;
thermometrical and hygrometrical observations; chemical analysis;
results--Similar facts observed at Palermo--At Toulouse--History of
M. de la Visée--Mummies due to the general qualities of the air and
soil--Mummy of the avalanches--Time of its duration--Mummification
by a cold and dry wind--Morgue of the Great Saint Bernard--Note
communicated by Dr. Lenoir--Mummy of the Sands--Testimony
of Herodotus--Description of Father Kircher--In Egypt--In
Mexico--These facts establish a simple connexion between the
productions of nature and those of human industry.

CHAPTER III.

EMBALMING OF THE GUANCHES, p. 48.--Resemblance between the embalmings
of the Guanches, and those of the Egyptians--Consequences deducible
from this resemblance--Description of the processes drawn from the
Essay of M. Bory de Saint Vincent--Duration of embalming--State
in which are found these mummies at the present day--Probable
duration of their preservation--Catacombs at Fer, the Canaries,
&c.--Construction of mausoleums--Fact observed by M. Jouannet of
two Guanch mummies.