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38
The nature of the soil exerts groat influence upon the rapidity of
decay by promoting or retarding the access of air to bodies buried in
the earth. A loose, porous soil, such as gravel, promotes, while firm,
compact clay retards decomposition; but the degree of moisture present
may equalize the conditions, or even turn the scale in the opposite
direction : thus, a body would probably decay faster in dry clay than
in wet gravel.
For the same reasons, bodies buried near tho surface putrefy faster
than those interred in deep graves.
Clothing retards decay; but the coffin or case in which the body is
enclosed exerts greater influence than anything else: for bodies buried
in the earth quite naked perish rapidly, and are resolved into their
elements in a very few years: even the bones quickly break down and
become friable.
On the other hand, if the bodies are enclosed in hermotically-sealed
cases, such as leaden coffins, putrefaction will be arrested at the point
it had then attained, and will remain almost stationary so long as the
air is excluded by the material of the coffin: thus, a body fifty years
after burial will, if the coffin be intact, be found in the same state of
advanced, but almost unprogressive, putrefaction as when first laid in
the earth.
So with well-made wooden coffins—whilst they remain whole they
prevent resolution; but so soon as the woodwork decays and falls in,
the earth does its duty and absorbs the contents.
But wooden coffins last for an immense time, occasionally, as long as
lead, and their contents are then found in a similar condition. Lead
is very seldom used now, except in tho case of vaults, when it is
compulsory by Act of Parliament. Zinc is occasionally used: it does
not last nearly so long as lead. Stone is never used now. For wooden
coffins oak or teak is said to be the most durable material: yellow
deal is almost equal to these. Elm—the wood used in nine cases out
of ten—is very lasting if well seasoned, but common spruce soon
decays. All woods last much longer if well seasoned.
A few days ago, accompanied by Mr. William Bradbrook, I visited
that portion of the Globe Fields Burial Ground to the north side of
the Great Eastern Railway, and found some excavations there in
progress on account of railway extension. This cemetery was closed
about tho year 1850, after being open about half-a-century. It was
coeval in use with, and was included in the same Order in Council