BENGAZI. 373 and here we have a mixture of the Greek and Egyptian modes of burial, as might naturally, indeed, be expected*.

Not a trace of the mode in which the bodies had been embalmed, nor indeed of any bodies at all, could we perceive either at Teuchira or Ptolemeta. Not a single fragment, either of any cinerary urn or of vases of any description. The dampness of the climate, in the winter season, would no doubt contribute very materially to the destruction of the bodies when the covers were once removed from the excavated places which contained them ; but it is at the same time somewhat remarkable that not a single fragment of linen or bone could be met with (though we searched for them with great attention) by which the mode of burial could be ascertained. The cause of this is most probably the occupation of the tombs by the Arabs who, as we have stated above, make use of them occasionally as I places of residence for themselves and their cattle; and would naturally throw out any similar remains when they chanced to be seized with a fit of cleanliness or industry.

The pottery would also very speedily disappear before the repeated attacks of the children ; and such urns or vases as were found at all perfect would be employed by the women for culinary purposes, and depdts of various kinds, and would naturally be broken in the course of time however carefully they may have been preserved.

The fragments thrown out would soon be buried in sand blown up into the quarries, in heaps, from the sea ; and thus all traces might * The practice of burying the body entire was, however, very frequently adopted by the Greeks in other places, as we shall hereafter have occasion to mention.