nteresting they were, as showing
the remarkable improvements that modern knowledge has effected in this
ancient art. I need not trouble you with details that are familiar to
you. The process that I selected as the simplest for a beginner was
that of formalin injection, and I went straight from the Museum to
purchase the necessary materials. I did not, however, buy an embalming
syringe: the book stated that an ordinary anatomical injecting syringe
would answer the same purpose, and I thought it a more discreet
purchase.

"I fear that I bungled the injection terribly, although I had carefully
studied the plates in a treatise on anatomy--Gray's, I think. However,
if my methods were clumsy, they were quite effectual. I carried out
the process on the evening of the third day; and when I locked up the
house that night, I had the satisfaction of knowing that poor John's
remains were secure from corruption and decay.

"But this was not enough. The great weight of a fresh body as compared
with that of a mummy would be immediately noticed by those who had the
handling of the mummy-case. Moreover, the damp from the body would
quickly ruin the cartonnage and would cause a steamy film on the inside
of the glass case in which it would be exhibited. And this would
probably lead to an examination. Clearly, then, it was necessary that
the remains of the deceased should be thoroughly dried before they were
enclosed in the cartonnage.

"Here my unfortunate deficiency in scientific knowledge was a great
drawback. I had no idea how this result would be achieved and, in the
end, was compelled to consult a taxidermist, to whom I represented that
I wished to collect some small animals and reptiles and rapidly dry
them for convenience of transport. By this person I was advised to
immerse the dead animals in a jar of methylated spirit for a week and
then expose them in a current of warm, dry air.

"But the plan of immersing the remains of the deceased in a jar of
methylated spirit was obviously impracticable. However, I bethought me
that we had in our collection a porphyry sarcophagus, the cavity of
which had been shaped to receive a small mummy in its case. I tried
the deceased in the sarcophagus and found that he just fitted the
cavity loosely. I obtained a few gallons of methylated spirit, which I
poured into the cavity, just covering the body, and then I put on the
lid and luted it down air-tight with putty. I trust I do n