The 22d tablet of the series 'Illumination of Bel' deals with the important subject of eclipses. It contains 88 lines, and furnishes us with a good specimen of the class of omens under consideration. It begins[579] with eclipses that may take place during the first month, and runs along through the twelve months of the year. The 14th, 15th, 16th, 20th, and 21st days of the month are those set down when eclipses have been observed. The official character of the omens is indicated by their repeated references to the nations with which Babylonia--and later Assyria--came into contact, and to the fate in store for the rulers of the country. For the third month, the tablet notes: In the month of Sivan, an eclipse happening on the 14th day, proceeding from east to west, beginning with the middle watch,[580] and ending with the morning watch, the shadow being seen in the east--the side of obscuration--furnishes an omen[581] for the king of Dilmun.[582] The king of Dilmun is slain. An eclipse happening on the 15th day, the king of Dilmun is slain, and some one seizes the throne. An eclipse happening on the 16th day, the king is deposed and slain, and a worthless person seizes the throne. An eclipse happening on the 20th day, rains descend from heaven, and the canals are flooded. An eclipse happening on the 21st day, sorrow and despair in the land. The land is full of corpses. The eclipses for the fourth month furnish omens for the king of Guti--another district with which Babylonia and Assyria had frequent dealings. An eclipse happening in the month of Tammuz on the 14th day, proceeding from the west to the south, beginning with the first watch and ending with the middle watch, the shadow being seen in the west--the side of obscuration--furnishes an omen for the king of Guti. Overthrow of Guti by force, followed by complete submission. An eclipse happening on the 15th day[583], rains descend from heaven, floods come upon the land, famine in the land. An eclipse happening on the 16th day, women have miscarriages. An eclipse happening on the 20th day, storms set in and famine; afterwards for a year storms destroy property[584]. An eclipse happening on the 21st day, the armies of the king revolt and deliver him into the hands of enemies. The eclipses of the following month deal with several countries. An eclipse in the month of Ab[585] on the 14th day, proceeding from the south to the east, beginning with the first watch, or with the morning watch, and ending at sunrise, the shadow being seen in the south--the side of obscuration--furnishes an omen for the king of Umliash. The soldiery are engaged in severe conflicts for a year, and are slain by force of arms. An eclipse happening on the 15th day[586], the king dies, and rains descend from heaven, and floods fill the canals.