[Illustration: Figs. 5, 6 and 7. JARS SHOWING METHOD OF SECURING CONTENTS. (From paintings in the tombs at Beni Hasan.)] For securing the contents of smaller vessels the Egyptians had another method. This was by stretching over the mouth a piece of skin or beaten metal, which was then firmly tied down by a cord, the two ends and knot of which were covered by a pellet of clay, and impressed by a small stamp or scarab (see figs. 5, 6, and 7). [Illustration: Fig. 8. A MAN SEALING UP A HONEY JAR. (From a sculpture at Abusîr.) _A.Z._, Vol. xxxviii, Pl. v.] An illustration of a man actually engaged in the process of covering up a jar of honey has been preserved in a tomb at Abusîr; he is fastening the string around the vase, and above him is the legend, _Khetem bati_, “sealing honey” (see fig. 8). The beautiful dolomite marble and carnelian vases found in the tomb of King Khasekhemui (_circa_ 3300 B.C.) at Abydos are secured in this way. Each of these has a cover of thick gold foil fitted over the top, and tied down with a double turn of twisted gold wire, over the tie of which a small lump of clay is fixed, which in this instance has not been impressed with a seal, but merely pressed together by the fingers. Generally the pellet of clay to be “sealed” was placed on the top of the jar (as in figs. 5 and 7), but sometimes it covered the knot at the side (as in fig. 9). The same manner of securing the mouth of a jar still survives in the way our liqueur bottles, etc., are often sealed, and in the way we close our jam pots, except that in the latter case we no longer find it necessary to attach a seal. [Illustration: Fig. 9. A SEALED JAR. (From a painting in a tomb at Medûm.)] The contents of bags and sacks were also secured by means of the seal; a piece of cord was tied round the neck, the knot of which was immersed in a pellet of clay and “sealed” (see fig. 10). A large number of broken seals of this kind have been found in Egypt, and sealed bags containing gold dust and other materials are often figured in the ancient paintings of the tombs. To the custom of sealing bags Job alludes (xiv, 17). In the story of Hor-ded-ef we read of certain midwives who had assisted in bringing into the world a child, being rewarded by the father with “a bushel of barley,” which is straightway sent to the brewhouse to be kept under the midwives’ seal. Our modern post bags are rendered secure from being examined by unauthorised persons in exactly the same manner. [Illustration: Fig. 10. A SEALED BAG. (From a painting in a tomb at Medûm.)]