EMBALMING

(Lat. balsamum, balm.) A proce adopted by the ancient Egyptians, chiefly ior the preservation of dead bodies from putrefaction. The term is derived from the use of balsamic substances in the operation; in addition to these, saline substances and tanning materials seem also to have been used. See Mummy. (See Granville,inPhil. Trans.; and Petti grew upon Mummies.) [s. 410]