394 
RUINS OF BABYLON. 
measuring thirteen inches square, and three in thickness. During 
my examination of A1 Hymer, I was so fortunate as to obtain 
an entire brick of this beautiful construction; and found its in¬ 
scription also varying from those of the preceding piles ; hence, 
I may call it an unique specimen. It contains ten lines * of 
cuneiform letters, in an upright column. 
For my own gratification, as well as for the satisfaction of the 
antiquarian world, I have made correct copies of all the varieties 
of inscriptions found on the different styles of bricks, which have 
hitherto been discovered throughout the extensive mounds of 
Babylon; and that my drawings are so scrupulously accurate in 
this respect, 1 am indebted to the indefatigable assistance of my 
learned and persevering friend Mr. Belino, who was my com¬ 
panion through all these researches. 
The inscription (a) has been carefully ascertained, from col¬ 
lation with fifteen entire bricks. That of six lines (b) has had a 
similar advantage, having also been compared with several. That 
of four lines (c) was copied from one entire brick, collated with 
many fragments, two of which had a figure resembling a spade, 
impressed at the beginning of their inscriptions ; one of those 
pieces was found at Birs Nimrood, and the other at the Kasr. 
The peculiar fragments of four lines I had picked up at the red 
conical mound to the east of the Kasr hill, and which were so 
singularly stampt on the side, seem to have the same inscription 
as to the import of the letters, as well as to the number of the 
lines ; the only difference being in the application of the stamp ; 
every where else, than at that cone, the inscription having been 
on the broad face of the brick. The inscription of three lines (d) 
was copied from the joint evidence of three entire bricks and 
some fragments, and presents a variety, of which this is the first 
* See Plate LXXVII. (a). 
