'Narrative of a journey to the site of Babylon in 1811, now first published: memoir on the ruins; with engravings from the original sketches by the author: remarks on the topography of ancient Babylon, by Major Rennell; in reference to the memoir: second memoir on the ruins; in reference to Major Rennell's remarks: with narrative of a journey to Persepolis: now first printed, with hitherto unpublished cuneiform inscriptions copied at Persepolis: by the late Claudius James Rich, Esq., formerly the Resident of the Hon. East India Company at Bagdad. Edited by his widow.' [‎97] (183/474)

OF BABYLON.
97
of M. Dutens, there are the strongest grounds for
supposing that the Babylonians were entirely unac
quainted with the arch, of which I could not find the
slightest trace in any part of the ruins where I pur
posely made the strictest search ; particularly in the
subterranean at the Kasr, and the passages in the
Mujelibe. The place of the column too appears to
have been supplied by thick piers, buttresses, and
pilasters; for to the posts of date-wood, which was
then and is still made great use of in the architec
ture of this country, the name of certainly
cannot with propriety be applied. Strabo says,
" On account of the scarcity of proper timber, the
wood-work of the houses is made of the date-tree ;
round the posts they twist reeds, on which they apply
a coat of paint."* What Xenophon and Strabo say
of the doors being smeared over with bitumen, I
understand to be meant of the naphtha oil, wit
which they at present varnish all their painted work ;
the reasons for covering a door with bitumen not
being so obvious. When any considerable degree
* It is curious to compare the account Strabo gives, lib. xvi.
p. 511, of the uses to which the Babylonians applied the date in his
time, with the practice of the present day. He says, the date fur
nished them with bread, honey, wine, and vinegar ; the stones sup
plied the blacksmiths with charcoal; or, being macerated, afforded
food for cattle. The peasantry now principally subsist on dates
pressed into cakes ; they prepare molasses (dibs), make vinegar, and
distil a spirituous liquor called Arrak from them; but of the two
latter uses mentioned by Strabo they are ignorant. Oil of sesame is
still the only sort used, either for eating or burning, as in the time
of Strabo.
H