FLORA OF THE 



This terrible way of clearing a conquered country of 

 its food-trees must have been frequently practised, and 

 will amply account for the almost total disappearance 

 of the date tree from whole regions, where, at previous 



Fig. 5. — Variations of date tree designs: — 



a. From Balawat gates, British Museum. 



b. From Bonomi's Niniveh. 



A R 



c. From Cylinder^ „/ British Museum. 



d. From Sculpture 6a, Nimrood gallery, British Museum. 



times, it must have existed abundantly. Layard says, 

 " The scene around the traveller is worthy of the ruin 

 he is contemplating ; desolation meets desolation ; a feel- 



