Buckland, July 24. 1851.
In the 86th and two following sections of the Second Book of Herodotus
is the description of the ancient Egyptian methods of preserving the
bodies of the dead. These were more or less embalmed with aromatic
spices, according to the condition of the person, and then corned with
saltpetre ([Greek: litron], _nitre_) for seventy days; strictly,
_salted_. Is it possible that the early Christians, in adopting this
practice, may have been influenced by that very obscure passage, Mark
ix. 49.: "Every one shall be _salted_ with fire?"