[246] "Its contents," says Mr. Taylor (p. 299), "are equal in cubic inches to the cube of 41,472 inches—the cubit of Karnak—viz., to 71,328 cubic inches." Elsewhere (p. 304) he states—"The Pyramid coffer contains 256 gallons of wheat;"—"It also contains 256 gallons of water, etc."
[247] At a later meeting of the Royal Society, on 20th April, Professor Smyth explained that, among the numerous instruments he carried out, he was not provided with calipers fit for this measurement.
[248] See plate iii. Fig. 1, in his great folio work on the Pyramids of Gizeh from Actual Survey and Admeasurement, Lond. 1839. "The sarcophagus is," he remarks, "of granite, not particularly well polished; at present it is chipped and broken at the edges. There are not any remains of the lid, which was however, fitted on in the same manner as those of the other pyramids."
[249] "The western side," observes Professor Smyth, "of the coffer is, through almost its entire length, rather lower than the other three, and these have grooves inside, or the remains of grooves once cut into them, about an inch or two below their summits, and on a level with the western edge; in fact, to admit a sliding sarcophagus cover or lid; and there were the remains of three fixing pin-holes on the western side, for fastening such cover into its place." (Vol. i. p. 85.)
[250] For age, etc., of Al Hakm, see Dr. Rieu in Appendix No. III.; and Jomard on length of the Sarcophagus, No. IV.
[251] In the original Arabic, the expression is "birdlike (or hieroglyphic) characters writ with a reed."
[252] See Greaves' Works, vol. i. p. 61 and p. 115. In Colonel Vyse's works are adduced other Arabian authors who allude to this discovery of a body with golden armour, etc., etc., in the sarcophagus of the King's Chamber; as Alkaisi, who testifies that "he himself saw the case (the cartonage or mummy-case) from which the body had been taken, and that it stood at the door of the King's Palace at Cairo, in the year 511" A.H. (See The Pyramids of Gizeh, vol. ii. p. 334). See also to the same effect Abon Szalt, p. 357; and Ben Abd Al Rahman, as cited in the Description de l'Egypte, vol. ii. p. 191. "It may be remarked," observes Dr. Sprenger in Colonel Vyse's work, "that the Arabian authors have given the same accounts of the pyramids, with little or no variation, for above a thousand years." (Vol. ii. p. 328.) See further Appendix, p. 270.
[253] See Appendix, No. VII.
[254] Our great Scottish architect, Mr. Bryce, believes that, with these data given, any well-informed master-mason or clerk of works could have drawn or planned and superintended the building.
[255] See Newton's Essay, in Professor Smyth's work, vol. ii. 360; and Sir Henry James' masterly Memorandum on the Length of the cubit of Memphis, in Appendix, No. V.