structed of blocks of stone. Some of these blocks are of
great size, and how the builders ever put them into their places, is a
question we can not answer.

It is supposed that the construction of one of these pyramids required
more than twenty years' labor from thousands of men.

The largest pyramid is four hundred and sixty-one feet high, seven
hundred and forty-six feet long at the base, and covers more than twelve
acres of ground. In all, sixty-seven of these pyramids have been
discovered and explored.

They are the tombs in which the ancient kings and their families were
buried. In the interior of these pyramids, many chambers were
constructed to contain their stone coffins.

It has been calculated that one of the principal pyramids could contain
three thousand seven hundred rooms of large size.

The bodies of those who were buried in the pyramids were preserved from
decay by a secret process, known only to the priests.

[Illustration]

After the bodies were prepared, they were wrapped in bands of fine
linen, and on the inside of these was spread a peculiar kind of gum.
There were sometimes a thousand yards of these bands on a single body.

After they were thus prepared, a soft substance was placed around the
bandaged body. This covering, when it hardened, kept the body in a
complete state of preservation.

[Illustration]

These coverings are now called mummy-cases, and the bodies they inclose,
mummies.

These bodies were finally placed, in huge stone coffins, many of which
were covered with curious carvings.

Some of these mummies have been found, that are said to be over three
thousand years old. However, when the wrappings are removed from them,
many of the bodies have been so well preserved, as to exhibit the
appearance of the features as in life.

Large numbers of these mummies have been carried to other countries and
placed on exhibition in museums.

Among the mummies brought to this country, are some of the best
specimens which have yet been discovered.

* * * * *

Directions for Reading.--Let pupils mark the _inflection_ and point out
_emphatic words_ in the first two paragraphs of the lesson.

Show positions of the _rhetorical pauses_ in the first paragraph on
page 363.[20]

* * * * *

Language Lesson.--Let pupils review, as a written exercise, the
spelling of the following words.

receding principal