summerB of large massy stones, each sixteen feet long and 

 four broad. The roof over all these was first covered with 

 reeds, daubed with abundance of brimstone, (or bitumen,) then 

 upon tliem, was laid double tiles, joined with a hard and 

 durable mortar, and over them all, was a covering, with sheets 

 of lead, that the wet which drained through the earth might 

 not rot the foundation. Upon all these, was laid earth of a 

 convenient depth, sufficient for the growth of the greatest 

 trees. When the soil was laid even and smooth it was planted 

 with all sorts of trees, which both for beauty and sixe might 

 delight the spectators. The arches, which stood one above 

 another, had in them many stately rooms of all kinds, and for 

 all purposes. There was one that had in it certain en- 

 gines, whereby it drew plenty of water out of the river Eu- 

 phrates, through certain conduits hid from the spectators, 

 which supplied it to the platform of the Garden.* 



It is not improbable, says Major Rennel, that the trees 

 were of a species different from those which are natives of the 

 soil about Babylon. Curtius says, that some of them were 

 eight cubits in girth, and Strabo states that there was a con- 

 trivance to prevent the large roots destroying the superstruc- 

 ture, by building vast hollow piers, which were filled with 

 earth to receive them. 



In ascertaining the state of the Horticultural practice of 

 these early Nations we have little to guide us. Of Fruit 

 Trees they appear to have taken the most care, and of these 

 the Vine was preferred. They considered that it flourished 

 best upon a hill.f Stones were removed from the soil.J The 

 margin of some water was preferred. They appear to have 

 raised varieties from seed, " I had planted thee a noble Vine, 

 wholly a right seed, how then art thou turned into the dege- 

 nerate plant of a strange Vine unto me ?"1| A reproach to the 



. * Diodorut Siculus, b. ii. c. 1. Curtius. — Strabo, &c. + Ps. Ixii. 10. 

 Isa. V. I. t Ibid, fl Jerem. ii. 21. 



