I use the word 'animal'
in its widest sense, as including the physical not more than the moral
and vital being. I repeat that the leading principle of embalmment
consisted, with us, in the immediately arresting, and holding in
perpetual abeyance, all the animal functions subjected to the process.
To be brief, in whatever condition the individual was, at the period
of embalmment, in that condition he remained. Now, as it is my good
fortune to be of the blood of the Scarabaeus, I was embalmed alive, as
you see me at present."
"The blood of the Scarabaeus!" exclaimed Doctor Ponnonner.
"Yes. The Scarabaeus was the insignium or the 'arms,' of a very
distinguished and very rare patrician family. To be 'of the blood of
the Scarabaeus,' is merely to be one of that family of which the
Scarabaeus is the insignium. I speak figuratively."
"But what has this to do with you being alive?"
"Why, it is the general custom in Egypt to deprive a corpse,
before embalmment, of its bowels and brains; the race of the Scarabaei
alone did not coincide with the custom. Had I not been a Scarabeus,
therefore, I should have been without bowels and brains; and without
either it is inconvenient to live."
"I perceive that," said Mr. Buckingham, "and I presume that all
the entire mummies that come to hand are of the race of Scarabaei."
"Beyond doubt."
"I thought," said Mr. Gliddon, very meekly, "that the Scarabaeus was
one of the Egyptian gods.
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