304 Rev. Dr. Wat on the different Kinds of Cuneiform Writing 
tor, has been elsewhere explained by me ; and the ovals under discussion serve 
to throw strong light on this theory, as their contents—generally a single figure 
in each—cannot, for a moment, be confounded with phonetic signs ; we might 
just as well imagine a crest, or coat of arms, or a human head, upon a modern 
seal, to be thereon phonetically employed. But my principal reason for directing 
attention to this curious specimen is on account of its bearing on the nature of 
the national writing of the Babylonians ; for, if any ingredients of a legend were 
phonetic, the designations of proper names would be of this description ; but in 
the one under consideration those designations are evidently ideagraphic, and, 
therefore, a fortiori, so must be all the remaining portions of its text. When the 
true use of the ovals in question was wholly forgotten, they came to be looked 
upon, by the ignorant inhabitants of the surrounding country, just in the light 
in which the cartouches belonging to hieroglyphic legends were long viewed in 
Egypt, namely, as repositories of magic characters suited to the purposes of 
incantation. From Sir Robert’s account of the matter, it would appear that he 
had met with several specimens of cuneiform writing which contained some of 
those ovals, although he has given a copy of only one such specimen. The fol- 
Jowing are brief notices of his upon this subject. “The specimen (g) is singu- 
larly curious and valuable, having the impressions of many seals upon it ;* they 
are now very faint, but enough remains to show the forms of animals and talis- 
manic symbols. It is on baked clay, and was found at Babylon.” ‘The im- 
pression of the seal contains the figure of a man grasping a bird of a goose-shape 
by the neck. Many similar seals are dug up amongst the ruins. I have another, 
in agate, of a man, and some symbolical forms. The specimens of baked clay, 
already described as having been stamped with numerous seals, are sufficient 
evidence how common was their use ; their import can only be guessed, but it is 
likely all were connected with mystic incantation.” 
18. Although an argument against a theory, from its consequences, can be 
pressed only on those who maintain them to be thence fairly inferred, yet, when 
* The whole of the Babylonian writing in each specimen appears to have been impressed upon 
clay, while yet in a soft state, by means of a framed stamp containing the legend reversed, and 
so far to have resembled modern printing. There are, however, instances in which this writing 
has been found insculped upon stone. 
+ Travels, &c., vol. ii. p. 420. } Ibidem, p. 425. 
