Naut. By the formation of the muscular parts of the visage, I conjecture that this mummy is male.
Pos. Male, brother! I am sorry to observe your ignorance of the symetry of a human body. Do but observe the projection of the hip; besides, the bloom upon the face; 'tis a female beyond all contradiction.
Fos. Let us have no rash dispute, brothers; but proceed methodically——Behold the vanity of mankind! [pointing to the mummy.] Some Ptolemy perhaps!——
Naut. Who by his pyramid and pickle thought to secure to himself death immortal.
Fos. His pyramid, alas! is now but a wainscot case.
Pos. And his pickle can scarce raise him to the dignity of a collar of brawn.
Fos. Pardon me, Dr. Possum: The musæum of the curious is a lasting monument. And I think it no degradation to a dead person of quality, to bear the rank of an anatomy in the learned world.
Naut. By your favour, Dr. Possum, a collar of brawn! I affirm, he is better to be taken inwardly than a collar of brawn.
Fos. An excellent medicine! he is hot in the first-degree, and exceeding powerful in some diseases of women.
Naut. Right, Dr. Fossile; for your Asphaltion.