245 
that is the occurrence of the vestiges of burnt buildings. We know . 
that in many parts of Scotland and in Ireland, and, I think, in 
England also, there are found those well-known towers which bear 
upon them the undoubted marks of fire. We have had abundant theories 
as to how they have been produced, and it is curious to find the 
same thing cropping up in those distant lands. No one can tell 
how or why these indications have been produced, or whether inten- 
tionally or not. They are found abundantly in Scotland, whence I have 
specimens of perfectly calcined stonework ; not so hard as Mr. Rassam has 
described, but still showing evident signs of the action of great heat. It 
seemed to me, from those I examined, that it is generally the portions 
remaining above ground which most show the evidences of fire, and it is 
probably this fact which accounts for their preservation. 
Mr. Rassam. — I have communicated on this subject with Professor 
Symons, who informed me of the vitrifactions in Scotland ; but there is no 
comparison between the two. The vitrifactions in Scotland are not more 
than three-quarters of an inch deep, but those that are existing at Birs 
Nimroud are about 20 feet deep, and this makes the question the more 
difficult to solve. Some suppose this vitrifaction to have been the effect of 
lightning ; but that has been proved to be quite impossible, and I am 
supported by the opinion of scientific men in saying it could not have been 
so produced. 
Rev. R. W. Kennion. — I think another difficulty has cropped up this 
evening. Dr. Delitzsch spoke of the first King of Babylon having lived 
more than 3,000 years before Christ ; but that differs very much from the 
ordinary chronology. Would those who are more learned than I in these 
matters take notice of this? I know there are different systems of 
chronology ; but according to our usual chronology the Flood must have 
been considerably later. I should like to know how this difficulty is to be 
got over. 
The Chairman. — Would Dr. Delitzsch kindly say a few words in expla- 
nation of the system of chronology on which his statement is based ? I 
think it would be interesting. 
Dr. Delitzsch. — It would take too much time to explain it now ; but I 
intend to read a paper on Babylonian and Assyrian chronology before 
another society next week. Perhaps, therefore, you will kindly dispense 
with my saying more at present. 
Mr. D. Howard, Y.P.I.C. — I consider Mr. Rassam’s a most important 
paper. It is interesting to look back, as I do, to the days of my 
boyhood, when the early investigations were made of Birs Nimrud, and 
when we were getting a little doubtful whether there was any truth at all in 
the old historians, and many people began to doubt whether or not the 
histories of the Old Testament or of Berosus were like myths. Then were 
dug up those unpromising old mounds which gave the most minutely accurate 
confirmation of the truth, of the Bible, and of the records since the Bible, 
s 2 
