396 
RUINS OF BABYLON. 
found some trace of the long-sought boundary of Babylon ; but 
on close examination, like searching for the philosopher’s stone, 
the pursuit still ended in disappointment. Nitrous tracks, and 
other incontestible vestiges of former ancient buildings, spread 
all the way from the mount of A1 Hymer, to the bank of this old 
water-channel, and beyond it, even to the base of the vaster 
mounds we approached. Minor elevations covered the plain on 
every side ; and we quickly ascended the highest of the prominent 
group. It was not inferior in height to A1 Hyrtier, and of the 
same conical form. From its base three branches projected, of 
less elevation ; two running southward and south-west; and the 
third, the longest, to the north; from which struck out eastern 
and western ramifications. This central mound, and its adjuncts, 
stood perfectly detached from all others, in an open area ; nearly 
surrounded towards the north and north-east, by a deep chain 
of minor mounds, covered with the usual fragments of scattered 
ruin. 
In a direction, north 20° east, we observed another high 
mound, standing quite alone ; in altitude nearly equal to the 
last described, but of an oblong shape, or rather like a com¬ 
pressed horse-shoe, open to the eastward. Its length was 161 
yards ; and its breadth, equal in every part, 46 yards. It stood 
east and west. Looking from its summit to the eastward, the 
whole plain seemed an undeviating flat; not an object of any 
kind disturbing the smooth surface, excepting a tomb or two, six 
miles distant. From the top of this most eastern mound, I took 
the following bearings: Hillah minaret, S. 80° W.; Mujelibe, 
N. 65° W.; A1 Hymer, N. 40° W. 
On returning by the base of the great ramified mound, I 
observed a low continued ridge, like what might once have 
