certain objects, the likeness is so far removed that he is at first inclined to be sceptical.

The fact that writing was done in such material as clay accounts for this departure and

conventional treatment. We give as an example the transition of the word "sun," showing

its modification both by reason of the nature of the material (clay), and the gradual

transition from the simple reference to the sun itself to that which is more remotely

connected with it ­ the month.

If the reader will attempt to draw a circle quickly in clay, he will appreciate the

straight lined suggestion of figure "b." The sign for a month (figure "d") is simply the

numeral 30 placed within the sign of the sun, indicating the fact that there are 30 suns, or

days, in a month.

A comparison of Egyptian with Babylonian heiroglyphics is suggestive both of the

different temperaments exhibited, and of the environments which suggested the signs.

One of the most important items of interest to the Bible student is the fact that

Assyrian is a Semitic tongue. Many obscure words have been illumined by the Hebrew,

and also some Hebrew words have received fresh power by the usage of its parallel in the

Assyrian inscriptions. The Semitic inhabitants of Babylonia are called Casdim in the Old

Testament, and Prof. Sayce connects this with the Assyrian Casadu, "to Possess" or

"conquer," the word conveying the historic note that the Casdim were the Assyrian

conquerors. W. St. Chad Boscawen, F.R.H.S., gives some interesting lists of linguistic

affinities between Assyrian and Hebrew, from which we cull a few examples:--

Kakkadu

Leb

Pu

Naru

Tiamtu

Day

With this brief note upon the language which is so prominent in this section of the

Museum, the reader should note the BEHISTUN INSCRIPTIONS.  The Behistun

Inscriptions figure largely in the history of the decipherment of this strange language.

The inscriptions were written in three languages, viz., Persian, Scythic (Median), and

Babylonian (cf. the inscription over the Cross in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin). This