Passing now to some illustrations of birth-omens from the collections of the =bârû=-priests, let us first take up some texts dealing with omens from the young of animals. Naturally, the animals to which attention was directed were the domesticated ones--sheep, goats, cows, dogs, horses and pigs. Among these the most prominent is the sheep, corresponding to the significance attached to the sheep in liver divination where it is, in fact, the only animal whose liver is read as a means of forecasting the future[33]. As a result of this particularly prominent position taken by the sheep in birth-omens, the word =isbu=, designating the normal or abnormal foetus--human or animal--when introduced without further qualification generally indicates the foetus of a sheep[34]. A text[35] dealing with a double foetus, i. e., of a sheep[36], reads in part as follows: 'If it is a double foetus with slits (?) on the head and tail, the land will be secure. If it is a double foetus and enclosed[37], confusion in the country, the dynasty [will come to an end]. If it is a double foetus, encompassed like an enclosure, the king will [subdue ?] the land. If it is a double foetus and encompassed like an enclosure, confusion in the land, hostilities [in the country]. If it is a double foetus, encompassed like an enclosure, with slits on the body, end of the dynasty, confusion and disturbances in the country. If it is a double foetus, encompassed like an enclosure, with twisted necks and only one head, the land will remain under one head. * * * * * If it is a double foetus, the heads enclosed, with eight legs and only one spine, the land will be visited by a destructive storm[38]. If it is a double foetus with only one head, the land will be secure, the ruler will prevail against his enemy, peace and prosperity in the country[39]. If it is a double foetus with one head, a double spine, eight feet, two necks and two tails, the king will enlarge his land. If it is a double foetus with one head, double spine, two tails and one body, then the land that is ruled by two will be ruled by one. If it is a double foetus with only one head and one spine, eight feet, two necks and two tails, the king will enlarge his land. If it is a double foetus with only one neck, the ruler will enlarge his land. If it is a double foetus with only one spine, the ruler will enlarge his land. If it is a double foetus with only one mouth, the land will remain under the command of the king. If it is a double foetus with only one breast, the land will be enlarged, rule of a legitimate king.