ASSYRIAN MONUMENTS. n 



It is unmistakably represented on several sculptures. 

 A bit of one is shown in fig. 6. Its leaf is as good 

 as rude art can make it ; and the bunch of grapes, 

 in this case, is rightly put opposite 

 the leaf. 



The probable connection of the vine 

 with some of their sacred trees is 

 discussed under that heading. 



This is what Alph. De Candolle says 

 of the vine : ^ "It is especially in the 

 Pontus, in Armenia, to the south of Fig. 6.— From No. 



24, Kouyunjik 



the Caucasus, and of the Caspian Sea, tf""!' ^"''''' 



that it grows with the luxuriant wild- 

 ness of a tropical creeper, clinging to tall trees, and 

 producing abundant fruit, without pruning or cultivation." 

 Then on p. 193 he says : " Adolphe Pictet, who has, in 

 common with numerous authors, but in a more scientific 

 manner, considered the historical, philological, and even 

 mythological questions, relating to the vine, among ancient 

 peoples, admits that both Semitic and Aryan nations knew 

 the use of wine, so that they may have introduced it into 

 all the countries into which they migrated." 

 ^ Page 191, Orig. Cultiv. Plants. 



