[13] Professor Ragozin, in his excellent book on the history of Assyria, mentions a possible explanation of the “Fish,” which, if acceptable, disposes entirely of that inconvenient creature. “The very fable which is such a stumbling-block to the intelligent reading of the whole book becomes most unexpectedly cleared of its hitherto impenetrable obscurity when Assyriology informs us that the Assyrian name of the “great City” is NINUA, a word very much like “nunu,” which means fish, the connection being, moreover, indicated by the oldest sign for the rendering of the name in writing, which is a combination of lines or wedges plainly representing a fish in a basin or tank. The big fish that swallowed Jonah was no other than the Fish City itself, where he must surely have been sufficiently encompassed by dangers to warrant his desperate cry for deliverance.” [14] Kalah was founded by Shalmaneser I., 1300 B.C. [15] Layard mentions the image of the bird, which local tradition has seized upon as a proof of idolatry, but neither he nor any subsequent traveller could gain a sight of it, nor learn more of its use than that it was sent from place to place (being a small object) accompanying important messages among the high priests. [16] This is the usually accepted theory. The Tiflis Yezidis, however, gave a later inquirer a different version, stating that Satan has, after weeping sufficient tears in seven vessels to quench the seven hells of his seven thousand years’ exile, now been reinstated in Heaven. Can we assume this important event to have happened since 1839, when Layard was informed of the theory quoted in the text? [17] Here they have adopted the Muhammadan tradition, see Quran, iv., 156: “They slew him not, and they crucified him not, but they only had his likeness.” [18] Yazd, Yazdan. [19] Or, that Yazid became a leading member of the sect. [20] Original reads “wa antaqala bi’l Musil” (Taraiq ul Haqaiq). [21] I made inquiries when in Mosul and afterwards, regarding this place, which is called Keuwi Lash, or The Mountain of a Body--or corpse. A Muhammadan priest of Mosul informed me that Shaikh Adi is certainly buried here, and reverence is paid to the tomb by some Musulmans, who, however, are inclined to shun the place, owing to its association with the Yezidis. CHAPTER VI THE ZAB RIVERS, ANCIENT ASSYRIA AND ADIABENE, ARBELA, KIRKUK