PETRIFIED CHINAMEN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 73, 31 January 1879, Page 2

PETRIFIED CHINAMEN.

'A few days ago a Chinaman obtained a permit to disinter tlio bodies of some of his countrymen, buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, for exportation to China. Ac- •. companied by Mr M'Donald, the officer appointed by tlio Board of Health to supervise disinterments, lie went to the cemetery and tho work of disinterment bogau. The first coffin opened was found to contain the petrified remains of a Chinaman who died and was buried some five years ago. The next coffin contained remains in a perfect state of preservation, which had reposed in the grave more than four.years. A portion of the mass of clothing which usually envelopes the body of a deceased Chinaman was mouldy and decayed, and the remains appeared as fresh as at the time of death, The body was raised to the surface and a close .in-, spection made of it. It showed no signs or decay, even to tho queue, oyebrows, . and eyelashes. Upon pressing the sMn ': with a hatchet it readily yielded, and the ' indentations shortly afterwards disap-':'. peared. What is more surprising, the neck was found to bo supple, and tho head could be moved from side to side., . Rnother strange circumstance ■ Ji the entire absence of any unpl'easanlFodour arising from thi) body. Several .visitors to tho cemetery viewed, tlio rcm'ins, and some made a careful examinatioJßLeof. Tho body was re-interred witlTtuShope ... by the Chinese bone exporter that the ' next time it is brought to the surface tlio superfluous flesh will have disappeared, .'• The ground where the, interments were made is sandy, and is moistened by springs.' A short distance from two graves ; meh ;,: .•"'■<