When the Davis furnace is used, the process is as follows: The catafalque, bearing the crib which is covered with a cloth 15 feet long, wet with alum water, is placed by the side of the casket containing the body, the lid of which is removed and strips of muslin are passed under it. The ends of the bands are attached to an elevator, and the body is gently raised up and placed upon the alum-sheet-covered crib, the free end being covered over, thus entirely enveloping it. This procedure is necessary to prevent the clothing in which the corpse is dressed from igniting. All being in readiness, the catafalque, on noiseless casters, is placed in front of the retort. A cable is then attached to the crib, the retort door is opened, a signal is given, and the catafalque with its burden gently approaches the open retort; when near, it stops, and noiselessly the corpse is moved into the retort, impelled, as it were, by an unseen agency. When it is in the proper position, a signal is given, the machinery in the rear and out of sight stops, the door is closed air-tight, and the mechanical process gives way to the chemical. When the retort is opened, the cold air rushing in, the cold body, crib, and alum-sheet chill for a few moments the inner surface of the retort; in a few moments the retort regains its heat; a fine mist commences to arise from the body, which gradually becomes thicker and more dense, until the inside of the retort has the appearance of dense white mist. The idea of fine snow or fog is suggested. This appearance remains until the soft tissues are reduced to ashes. Then the interior of the retort gradually becomes more clear. The alum-sheet will be seen to be in the same position as when put in; perhaps slightly sunken. A blue flame will be seen arising through the sheet; about six inches above the body it becomes extinguished. This continues until the bony structure is completely cremated, when all is white as snow, and nothing can be seen inside the retort, the ashes having fallen through the crib and the alum-cloth collapsed. The oxygen by the intense heat has been made to unite with the carbonaceous elements of the body, and the resulting carbonic acid gas, ammonia, and water are driven off through the retort walls into and through the flues to the air without, where they mingle with the elements of nature. In the retort are the ashes, consisting of pure oxide of lime. It is plain from the above that the corpse does not come in contact with the flames, that is, the fire, in this apparatus. There is no burning. The body is simply oxidized, and the union of the oxygen and the organic matter composing the body is so complete that what nature has so perfectly formed in life appears to gently, quietly melt away in death, and becomes resolved into its original elements.