nothing else can give any idea of the different parts of the monument.

You doubtless remember that the excavations ceased at the end of a wall, forming the northern side of a passage paved with an inscription. I had left the workmen an order to quit this point and follow the wall, to see whether it was a continuation of that which displays the two colossal figures discovered more to the eastward; it is not so; before reaching these, this wall opens out in a passage running towards the north, and like the one I first found, but rather larger. I will call it passage No. II. The eastern partition (xvI.) has been followed as far as the point where it turns to the east at right angles; the western partition (x.), facing this same point, turns towards the west, it then turns back in a northerly direction, forming, with an opposite wall, the passage No. III. This last wall comes from the northward, and by following it to its head, I have ascertained that at the distance of five mètres it turned towards the east.

Of the result of all this the plan will show an outline, but yet cannot explain the ensemble in the slightest degree. On reflection, it is evident that this is only a very small portion of an immense monument;

future labours may, perhaps, develop the general plan. I now proceed to describe the sculptures and inscriptions.

The second and third passages are, like the first, paved by one great slab bearing a cuneiform inscription, of which I send copies made with all possible care. The largest, that of passage No. II,* cost me an entire day's labour. There are forty-six lines, and, although broken, it is complete; nothing is wanting but (especially towards the southern extremity) some defaced characters.

The inscription of the third passaget is rather imperfect; nevertheless, to judge by its proportions, it must be deficient in very little, the more so as the

*See Plans XIII. and XIV. The great extent of this inscription has compelled me to publish it on two sheets. M. BOTTA says in a note: "No characters are wanting save where irregular marks may be observed, which in my copy take up the place of those characters that, owing to their present decayed state, I have not been able to transcribe. The blanks indicate corresponding gaps upon the stone. This slab is broken, but each fragment retains its place. I am confident that the inscription is complete throughout."-J. M.

† See Plan XV.-"The slab is quite complete at lines 29-31 only, yet, as indicated in the copy, it cannot be wanting in much more than the others. The characters are widely separated; they are arranged in my copy as on the stone itself."-Note by M. BOTTA.

D

characters are widely separated. In these two new inscriptions, the characters were, like those of the first, incrusted either with copper or some coppery cement, still retaining great hardness, and which has dyed green even the surface of the stone.

In order to describe the figures, I will designate the walls by the numbers that mark them out on the plan.

Leaving the passage No. I, the wall (1x.) displays the lower part of a gigantic personage, attired in a long fringed robe, similar to those decorating partitions I. and II. of the brickwork opposite. There were probably two of these figures; but, for a certain distance, the wall is now destroyed to its foundation.

The western partition of the passage No. II. displays (x.) two colossal figures nearly nine feet high, turned towards the south.* One is winged, and holds in his hand a basket or some sort of vessel (very distinct from the other side). He is clothed in a short tunic, and his girdle, as represented in the drawing, is very magnificent. He appears to have had the head of some animal,† but the dilapidated

*Plan XVI.

When I showed this drawing to Mr. LAYARD, he produced some cylinders which demonstrated that the winged figure ought

condition of the upper portion prevents my being sure whether this was really the case.

The other personage, who walks behind, is bearded, and richly clad in a redingote (pardon the term) ornamented with handsome fringes; the upper part of this garment seems to have been made of fur. In his hand he holds a kind of trident, with wavy prongs terminated by three balls, and painted red. I do not know what it is.

Increasing in width, the western face of the passage displays (x1.) below, a small bas-relief, measuring about three feet; it represents a horseman at full gallop. Its decayed state did not admit of any drawing; but, as the horseman's head is still in tolerable preservation, I have been able to perceive that his eyes were stained black with khol, according to ancient custom in the east. This little bas-relief was surmounted by a band of cuneiform inscription, too much injured to be copied. Above, was another bas-relief representing several personages whose legs alone are visible. I must here observe, once for

to have a bird's head, and this conjecture is completely verified, for M. BOTTA informs me, in a letter written afterwards, that he has discovered a similar (and entire) figure, with the head of a bird.-J. M.

all, that this arrangement is universal, wherever the figures are not gigantic; there are invariably two bas-reliefs, one over the other, separated by a band of inscription 50% wide.

Turning westward, this same wall displays (XII.) two horsemen abreast, at full gallop; then (XIII.) another horseman at a foot's pace, sculptured upon that part which turns back towards the north, in order to make the angle of the third passage. There it terminates, being totally destroyed. It is worthy of remark, that these numerous windings of the wall form a very different structure, both as to shape and dimensions, from the one I described in my first letter, and which is separated from this by passage No. I.

The wall forming the opposite side of passage No. III. displays, at its western extremity, traces of a small personage three feet in height, now scarcely discernible, walking towards the west. Further to the eastward are seen two horsemen, armed with spears, following each other at a gallop. Above them is a band of inscription, but the upper bas-relief is entirely lost. I regret not having had time to draw these horsemen, for their state of preservation would have enabled me to do so. Their attitude is perfect, and the action of the horses exceedingly spirited.