Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-08
SACRED ANIMALS IN OLD EGYPT.
g,gny of the Creatures Embaimed and Pus
T., Tatacom a. by tho Ancients.

In CatucOmbs by the Ancients.
Not only did the ancient Egyptians en-
balm the bodies of the human dead. They
performed like operation upon the re-
mains of the sacred animals, though in
general less expense and trou bic were TAX
en- over them, animals being chiefly pre-
pared by soaking in natron. The list OF
sacred animals is long one, though the
very ones that were most highly esteemed
I'm some places were most abhorred IN 9TH
ers. The list includes dogs, cats. monkeys,
lions, wolves, jackals, foxes, hyenas, bears,
icheumon. shrew mice, bulls, deer, goats,
sheep, hippopotami, vultures, eagles. fall
cons. hawks, owls, Ibis, geese, swallows,
crocodiles, toads, lizards, serpents. fish OF
various kinds, rats, mice, beetles and even
insects and flies. As rule. with the large
animals. the head only was mummied, the
body being represented by pieces OF wood.
The birds are squeezed together and lose
their shape. except tho ibis which, &C
cording TO Bezoni, is formed like fowl
ready to be cooked. The Ibis and hawk
appear to have had the most care bestow-
ed upon them, for rosin and asphalt are
frequently found within their envelopes.
Birds in general, having been wrapped IN
their bandages, were then placed IN an
earthen urn and deposited In the tomb.
NO mummies of animals arc to De met
with in the tombs OF tho higher class per-
sons. Most Of them had their own proper
sepulchers consecrated and appropriated
to their species only, but they were occa-
sionaily found mixed.
The catacomb Of birds ia distinct from
the cGtacomb Of human mummies. One
bird only Is inclosed in each earthen pot,
and an infinite number or pots were found
In good order, whole and sealed. The hot
nature Of the materials with which they
had been emhalmed had, however, dried
up the greater number TO powder. Upon
the possession OF Egypt by the French up
ward of 500 mummies OF the ibis alone
were discovered IN the catacomb OK birds.
Certain animals were maintained at the
public expense in sacred parks, and poo
Die were appointed to noursh them with
the greatest care. Bread, milk, honey,
meat, birds, fish, etc, were all supplied
according TO the nature OF the animals.
No expense was spared. The keepers bore
upon their persons the resemblance OK tAe
species 10 which their care was devoted,
and people paid remarks OF respect to them
as they passed along. The greatest sor-
row was manifested at the death Of any OF
them. They were embalmed and inferred
with great pomp and splendor. So great
was the venefation In which these animals
were held that, though when famine az
ficted Egypt the people were driven TO eat
human flesh, yet the sacred beasts, birds,
reptiles or fishes were always respected
They would rather eat their own species
than lay sacrilegious hands upon what
might be gods in disguise. Animals OF
the lowest character, even noxious insects,
were fos,ered In their temples, nourished
by their priests, cmbalmed after death
entombed with pomp and received all kinds
OF honors. Those who, either by accident
or design, occasioned the death OF any Of
these animals paid the forfeit OF their live'
as the penalty of the ofense. Diods. ai
Siculus says "He who has voluntarily
killed a consecrated animal is punishable
with death, but II any one has even invol
unfairly killed a cat or an ibis il Is impos
sible for him to escape capital punish
ment The mob drags him to 1t. treating
him with every cruelty and sometimes
without waiting for judgment to be pa
cd."-London Society.