CHAPTER V.

OF EMBALMING, FROM THE TIME OF THE EGYPTIANS DOWN TO OUR DAYS, p. 89.--Honours of embalming, conferred by other nations on distinguished men only--Doubts on the efficacy of this operation--Example of Alexander, and of Ptolemy--Embalming among the Jews--Embalming of Jesus Christ--Employment of wax among the Persians--Methods of De Bils, of Ruysch, of Swammerdam, of Clauderus--Description of the cabinet of Sieur Desenclosses--Silence regarding the processes of preservation employed by these authors--Composition of the balsam given by Penicher--Salt of Clauderus--Brine of Charles de Maétz--Preservation of the body of Saint Thomas--Formulæ: balsamic wines, compound brandy, vinegar, cere-cloth--Mixtures for soaking the linens: liniment, balsamic powders--Various methods of embalming, to the number of four--Embalming of the heart--Preservation of the heart of an Abbe--Embalming of Madame the Dauphine--Reflections.