FLOOR.] 
NIMROTJD GALLERY. 
87 
tion of this series, places it among the finest examples of Assyrian 
bas-relief. The figures are all sumptuously attired, their robes fringed 
and embroidered with sacred or mystical ornaments ; their sandals are 
painted in black and red, the bows of the eunuchs red, and the eyes of 
all of them black. It may be observed that the parts here indicated, 
together with the hair in some cases, and the necks, and edges of the 
mouths, of two men with lions' heads on two slabs hereafter mentioned, 
are the only objects on which colour is discernible in any of the Assyrian 
sculptures ; nor does the condition of the surface of those sculptures at 
all confirm the idea that the whole was originally covered with pigments. 
The succeeding slabs (Nos. 27—30) are from the small temple 
of the ec God of War." Nos. 27 and 28 stood originally, as here, 
at right angles to each other, No. 27 being on the external 
wall of the building, and Nos. 28, 29, on the side of a door- 
way leading to one of the chambers. On the opposite side of 
the doorway was a similar group, of which the slab on the 
external wall (No. 32) was alone removed by Mr. Layard. 
Nos. 28, 29. A four-winged figure, with a three-forked thunderbolt 
in each hand, pursuing a monster or demon ; a composition which, from 
its repetition on each side the doorway, probably typified the extrusion 
of the Evil Spirit from the temple. Although shattered into fragments, 
and much decomposed by fire, these slabs still display considerable 
merit in design. 
No. 29*. A restoration of the slab which originally occupied the 
position corresponding to this, and the same in subject as the next. 
No. 30. Slab from the opposite side of the doorway, forming the com- 
panion to No. 29*. It presents a figure of the Fish-god, or Dagon. 
The remaining bas-reliefs in this room are all from the 
North-west edifice. 
No. 33 represents an eagle-headed figure, evidently a deity, sup- 
posed by some to be Nisroch, in whose temple Sennacherib was slain. 
No. 36. A lion-hunt, which, though originally belonging to the 
North-west edifice, had been removed in ancient times, and was found 
in an isolated situation. It is here placed, for the purpose of comparison, 
opposite to some slabs of similar subject. 
Nos. 37-40. A collection of bas-reliefs, representing what are believed 
to be religious rites. In each group two figures are seen, standing or 
kneeling before a species of tree, whose foliage is sculptured similarly to 
that known as the " honeysuckle ornament " of Greek architecture and 
vase-painting ; one hand of each figure is raised, and generally holds 
some mystic offering or symbol, such as a fir-cone, a pomegranate- 
branch, a necklace, &c. 
Upon the West side of the room is a similar subject (No. 2), on a 
bas-relief within a boldly-projected border ; two kings are here intro- 
duced in the conventional attitude of sacrifice or adoration, and each 
