RUINS OF BABYLON 655 
comprehensive investigation, describes the whole 
' a ^ *^tween Bagdad and Hella, a distance of 48 miles, 
*t!lg‘^*^2ctly flat, and, for the greater part, uncultivated 
'f'ougli it is evident, from the number of canals by 
Vjj, traversed, and the immense ruins that cover its 
N ™ust formerly have been both well peopled 
’'fun,j|’^*''ated. About two miles above Holla, the more 
mins commence, among which, at intervals, are 
considerable quantities, burnt and unlurnt 
%ti bitumen ; two vast mounds in particular attract 
tliese are situated on the 
L'iiis f Euphrates. There are scarcely any re-r 
» , ‘ *'ttins visible, immediately opposite on the western 
are some of a stupendous magnitude ontliat 
*t| 
^ sVs * ^ 
I’ijg six miles to the south-west of Hella. 
grand mass of ruins described by Mr. Rich, 
1 thousand one hundred yards in length, and eight 
V*of^ *'t its greatest breadth, its figure nearly resembling 
i i'^igi’'^ i® irregular; but the most 
I nl about fifty or sixty feet above the level 
*'■ into for the purpose of pro- 
t)n the north is a valley of five hundred and fifty 
'a htju *®ngth, the area of which is covered with tussocks 
I ^tid crossed by a line of ruins of very little 
!■' ° succeeds the second grand heap of ruins, 
of which is nearly a square, of seven hundred 
lengtij ; ■ - - • ^ ' 
,'"ith t 
"b This is certainly the most interesting part of the 
i^r'eadth, and having its S. W. angle con* 
of nngle of the mounds of Amran, by 
'll' L ^'^tisiderable height, and nearly one hundred yards 
i.'llS#,,' . . This IQ rfi-tainlv mnef IntenaQlImr nnrl- nf fKo 
^"oyton ; every vestige discoverable in it declares it 
\ composed of buildings far superior to all the 
left traces in the eastern quarter : the bricks 
V^for k **■ *^o®oription ; and, notwithstanding this is the 
t3a„, mouse of them, and that the greatest supplies have 
N constantly drawn from it, they appear still 
But the operation of extracting the bricks 
V confusion, and contributed much to increase 
Ciitij as decyphering the original design of this 
V '^ire V'^ ®®3rch of them, the workmen pierce into it in 
nag hollowing out deep ravines and pits, and 
“P the rubbish in heaps on the surface In some 
