much slighter and sparer
frames than their northern neighbors, of a physique in fact approaching
to meagreness. The Assyrian sculptures, however, are far from
bearing out this idea; from them it would seem that the frames of
the Babylonians were as brawny and massive as those of the Assyrians
themselves, while in feature there was not much difference between the
nations. [PLATE IX., Fig. 3.] Foreheads straight but not high, noses
well formed but somewhat depressed, full lips, and a well-marked rounded
chin, constitute the physiognomy of the Babylonians as it appears
upon the sculptures of their neighbors. This representation is
not contradicted by the few specimens of actual sculpture left by
themselves. In these the type approaches nearly to the Assyrian, while
there is still, such an amount of difference as renders it tolerably
easy to distinguish between the productions of the two nations. The eye
is larger, and not so decidedly almond-shaped; the nose is shorter, and
its depression is still more marked; while the general expression of the
countenance is altogether more commonplace.

These differences may be probably referred to the influence which
was exercised upon the physical form of the race by the primitive
or Proto-Chaldaean element, an influence which appears to have
been considerable. This element, as has been already observed, was
predominantly Cushite; and there is reason to believe that the Cushite
race was connected not very remotely with the negro. In Susiana, where
the Cushite blood was maintained in tolerable purity--Elymseans and
Kissians existing side by side, instead of blending together--there was,
if we may trust the Assyrian remains, a very decided prevalency of a
negro type of countenance, as the accompanying specimens, carefully
copied from the sculptures, will render evident. [PLATE IX., Fig. 6.]
The head was covered with short crisp curls; the eye was large, the nose
and mouth nearly in the same line, the lips thick. Such a physiognomy
as the Babylonian appears to have been would naturally arise from an
intermixture of a race like the Assyrian with one resembling that which
the later sculptures represent as the main race inhabiting Susiana.

Herodotus remarks that the Babylonians wore their hair long; and this
remark is confirmed to some extent by the native remains. These in
general represent the hair as forming a single stiff and heavy curl at
the back of the head (No. 3). Sometimes, howe