Such are the principal fragments of this curious legend. According to the fragment K 2527, the serpent had committed some sin for which it was condemned by the god Samas to be eaten by the eagle; but the eagle declined the repast. After this, some one, whose name is lost, baits a trap for the eagle, and the bird going to get the meat, falls into the trap and is caught. Now the eagle is left, until dying for want of food it is glad to eat the serpent, which it takes and tears open. The other birds then interfere, but the tablet is too mutilated to allow us to discover for what purpose. The other fragments concern the building of some city, Etana being king, and in these relations the eagle again appears; there are seven spirits or angels principal actors in the matter, but the whole story is obscure at present, and a connected plot cannot be made out. This fable has evidently some direct connection with the mythical history of Babylonia, for Etana is mentioned as an ancient Babylonian monarch in the Izdubar legends. He seems to be the Titan of the Greek writers, who lived after the Deluge and made war against Kronos or Hea shortly after the confusion of tongues. The city built by Etana may be the city mentioned in Gen. xi. 4 as built at the same time as the Tower of Babel. If the Sibyl can be trusted Titan was a contemporary of Prometheus, in whom we may perhaps see the Inninna of the cuneiform inscription. That Etana was closely associated with the story of the Deluge appears plain from the fact that he ruled at Surippak, the home and kingdom of the Chaldean Noah. The legend of Etana seems in the fable to be put into the mouth of the eagle. II. STORY OF THE FOX. The next fable, that of the fox, was ascribed to an author called Lal-Merodach, the son of Eri-Turnunna, but the fragments are so disconnected that they must be given without any attempt at arrangement. K 3641. COLUMN I. 1. he had raised life .... 2. thou in that day also didst establish .... 3. thou knowest plots (and) the making of snares .... 4. of .... chains, his command he .... 5. from the time the fox approaches he urged me; let not .... 6. in treading down .... he had established on my feet, 7. again by command is the fecundity of life. 8. Samas by thy judgment is ruler; never may he go forth; 9. if need be, with the making of snares let them put to death the fox. ——–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–— 10. The fox on hearing this, raised his head in the presence of Samas and weeps. 11. To the presence of the splendour of Samas his tears went: 12. by this judgment O Samas thou dost not make me fecund. (Columns II. and III. lost.) COLUMN IV. 1. I went to my forest, I turned not back after him 2. and in peace I came not forth, and the sun sees not. 3. As for thee, never may man imprison (thee), 4. since in the pride of my heart and the strength of my face thou goest straight before (me). 5. May I confine thee and not send (thee) away.