SENNACHERIB ON HIS THRONE BEFORE LACHISH 129 FEET OF TRIPODS IN BRONZE AND IRON 151 A CAPTIVE (OF THE TOKKARI?) KOUYUNJIK 193 LION DISCOVERED AT ARBAN 231 VOLCANIC CONE OF KOUKAB 268 ENTRANCE TO SMALL TEMPLE (NIMROUD) _Facing page_ 288 FISH-GOD AT ENTRANCE TO SMALL TEMPLE (NIMROUD) 289 KURDS OF WAN 320 FIGURES OF ASSYRIAN VENUS IN BAKED CLAY 383 THE MUJELIBÉ OR KASR (FROM RICH) 392 PLAN OF PART OF THE RUINS OF BABYLON ON THE EASTERN BANK OF THE EUPHRATES 396 JUG OF SOAPSTONE, FROM THE MOUND OF BABEL 409 ASSYRIAN PEDESTAL, FROM KOUYUNJIK 477 PART OF COLOSSAL HEAD, FROM KOUYUNJIK 481 PLAN OF THE INCLOSURE WALLS AND DITCHES AT KOUYUNJIK 536 MAP OF ASSYRIA, ETC. } _at the end._ GENERAL MAP OF MESOPOTAMIA } CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. The Trustees of the British Museum resume Excavations at Nineveh.--Departure from Constantinople.--Description of our Party.--Roads from Trebizond to Erzeroom.--Description of the Country.--Armenian Churches.--Erzeroom.--Reshid Pasha.--The Dudjook Tribes.--Shahan Bey.--Turkish Reform.--Journey through Armenia.--An Armenian Bishop.--The Lakes of Shailu and Nazik 15 CHAPTER II. The Lake of Wan.--Akhlat.--Tatar Tombs.--Ancient Remains.--A Dervish.--A Friend.--The Mudir.--Armenian Remains.--An Armenian Convent and Bishop.--Journey to Bitlis.--Nimroud Dagh.-- Bitlis.--Journey to Kherzan.--Yezidi Village 30 CHAPTER III. Reception by the Yezidis.--Village of Guzelder.--Triumphal March to Redwan.--Redwan.--Armenian Church.--The Melek Taous, or Brazen Bird.--Tilleh.--Valley of the Tigris.--Bas-reliefs.-- Journey to Dereboun.--To Semil.--Abde Agha.--Journey to Mosul.--The Yezidi Chiefs.--Arrival at Mosul.--Xenophon's March from the Zab to the Black Sea 42 CHAPTER IV. State of the Excavations on my Return to Mosul.--Discoveries at Kouyunjik.--Tunnels in the Mound.--Bas-reliefs representing Assyrian Conquests.--A Well.--Siege of a City.--Nature of Sculptures at Kouyunjik.--Arrangement for Renewal of Excavations.--Description of Mound.--Kiamil Pasha.--Visit to Sheikh Adi.--Yezidi Ceremonies.--Sheikh Jindi.--Yezidi Meeting.--Dress of the Women.--Bavian.--Doctrines of the Yezidi.--Jerraiyah.--Return to Mosul 61 CHAPTER V.