'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎33] (58/450)

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CH. XIII.] SUBTERRANEAN PASSAGES.
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the wall, and level of the plain or area of Nineveh ;
so that the perpendicular height of the highest part
of the mound above the level of the plain is about
fifty feet. There are several other domes, but they
are semicircular, and rise very little above the
terrace. On the east side of the court of the mosque
we were shown three very narrow, ancient passages,
one within the other, with several doors or apertures,
opening one into the other, which reminded me of
the interior plan of the Zendan at Dastagerda.* The
passages are quite dark, narrow, and vaulted, and
appear much as if designed for the reception of dead
bodies. They are said to be very ancient, but of
what age none ot our conductors could specify;
and they extended much farther, but they have been
stopped up.
From the terrace of the mosque is an admirable
view ol Mousul. The whole population of the town
assembled to gaze at us, but none offered the least
molestation, though some ol them were heard opining
that I was ascertaining it great guns would bear
upon Mousul from that position.
A\ e afterwards rode through the area of Nineveh
to the first wall of the enclosure. It is a line of
earth and gravel, out of which large hewn stones are
dug, as out of all the Avails of the area. Beyond
this is a ditch, still very regular, and easily trace-
* See Journal of an Excursion to the Frontiers of S. Koor-
uistan.
V ol, II.
D