ASSYRIAN CYLINDERS: THE TREE OF LIFE 220 
fig. 672 the two winged figures present the fruit to the king, the basket being held 
in the other hand. In fig. 674 the winged figure (also repeated) presents the fruit 
to the king, and the basket in his hand is ornamented with the tree and the same 
winged figures in the same attitude with fruit and basket. In fig. 673 the winged 
disk of Ashur is over the tree of life and the king stands in worship on each side, 
and behind him the winged figure holds toward him the fruit, having the basket 
in the other hand. In fig. 675 the winged figure, with ornamented basket, holds a 
triple branch with two fruits, evidently before the king. In Layard, “Monuments of 
Nineveh,” 1, plate 35, there are two such winged figures, one carrying a palm branch 





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and an ibex, and the other a five-parted branch of palmettes and a spotted deer. 
In 7b., plate 36, the winged figure has the head of an eagle and carries a basket and 
fruit. In 7b., plate 38, one winged figure carries a three-parted branch ending in 
rosettes and lotus petals; while another’s branch 1s six-parted, each ending in what 
looks like the flower of a lily-of-the-valley. In 7b., plate 44, we see representations 
of the sacred tree and before it the winged bull, or the winged human figure ending 
below in the legs of a bird or a sphinx. For similar designs see Place, ‘ Ninive 
etl Assyrie aeplatess10,017,140.147; 2alsG, bottayl,. plates 20, 27.28,, etc: 
In these cases it seems generally clear that it is the palm that was the original 
of the sacred tree, as, indeed, was to be expected. And yet, rarely, we have quite a 
different type of tree represented somewhat naturalistically. Such a case we have 
in fig. 676. Here is a triple tree, with round branched heads, and on each side is 
