FERLINIS "FIND" " in shape, and that its walls were formed of large stones laid one " upon the other, and that [they were parallel] with the steps [of " the pyramid]. The chamber was from six to seven feet long, " and about five feet high. The first object that met our gaze " was a large ' masso,' covered over with a white piece of linen " or cotton cloth, which however, so soon as it was touched, fell " into dust. Under this was a rectangular funerary couch, or " bier of wood, which was supported on four cylindrical legs, and " was surrounded by a framework, wherein small and large bars of " wood were arranged alternately. These bars were carved and "represented symbolical figures. Under this bier I found the " vase (Catalogue No. io8) which contained objects, wrapped up " in a piece of linen similar to that which I have just mentioned. " Close to the vase, on the floor of the chamber, there were " arranged symmetrically by means of thread, necklaces formed of " beads made of glass, paste, [coloured] stones, &c., a number of " amulets, small figures of gods, a metal eye-paint case, little " round boxes [filled with a powder, of which I give the analysis " further on],i a saw, a chisel, and several other objects of which " I have given a description in my Catalogue."

Ferlini says that he promptly placed in little leather bags the valuable objects which he had found, taking care not to allow the Arabs to see the gold. When he came down from the pyramid his workmen crowded round to see what he had found, but grasping his weapons, he ordered them to continue their work, and they obeyed him hurriedly, because they thought that the sight of firearms alone was sufficient to kill them. That night, when the Blacks were in their huts, and the servants fast asleep, Ferlini and Stefani examined carefully the objects of their find ; they were greatly surprised at the beauty of the workmanship, for Ferlini considered that it was finer than any to which the Greeks had attained. Whilst he was rejoicing in his good fortune, he noticed that Stefani's countenance was sad, and, when he asked the reason, his friend replied that the Blacks could not be trusted, and that they had better fly for their lives with their treasures.

This, however, Ferlini refused to do, and having dug a hole in ' See Ferlini's Catalogue, No. 107. The words in brackets are from the French.

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