It will be perceived that, in this method, the access of air is, as much as possible, opposed; but this precaution is illusory, since in place of drying the body, it has been filled with powders which are real hygrometers, and which only absorb humidity to become themselves loaded with it: that indispensable condition to all perfect preservation was here wanting, _completely to desiccate the body_, still preserving it afterwards from all humidity and access of air; adding further, that many of these substances neutralize each other. M. Pelletan, who furnishes us with the preceding criticism, proposes to rectify the method after the data which we derive from those of the Egyptians, of Clauderus, and the researches of Rouelle. Consequently, we must proceed in the following manner: remove all the viscera, sew up carefully the integuments, plunge the body for several weeks, in a weak solution of sub-carbonate of soda, after having filled all the cavities with it; wash the corpse freely, and soak it for some days in an aluminous bath, to remove all the alkaline particles; expose it afterwards to the air, or in a stove, to produce desiccation, taking care to fill all the cavities with tow, and with resinous and aromatic matters, so as to preserve the form; desiccation once completed, varnish with care the whole surface of the body, and envelope it in a double bandage, impregnated, and covered with the same varnish. This method, which approaches nearly that of the Egyptians, would secure, without doubt, a perfect preservation, provided the body be placed in a situation exempt from all humidity, and the temperature of which is not variable.