hey also departed from their usual practice,
by substituting for the rigid perpendicular of the other faces a slight
slope outwards for some distance from the base. These arrangements,
which are apparently part of the original work, and not remedies applied
subsequently, imply considerable knowledge of architectural principles
on the part of the builders, and no little ingenuity in turning
architectural resources to account.

With respect to the shrine which was emplaced upon the topmost, or
silver stage, little is definitely known. It appears to have been of
brick; and we may perhaps conclude from the analogy of the old Chaldaean
shrines at the summits of towers, as well as from that of the Belus
shrine at Babylon, that it was richly ornamented both within and
without; but it is impossible to state anything as to the exact
character of the ornamentation.

The tower is to be regarded as fronting to the north-east, the coolest
side and that least exposed to the sun's rays from the time that they
become oppressive in Babylonia. On this side was the ascent, which
consisted probably of abroad staircase extending along the whole front
of the building. The side platforms (those towards the south-east and
north-west)--at any rate of the first and second stages, probably
of all--were occupied by a series of chambers abutting upon the
perpendicular wall, as the priests' chambers of Solomon's temple abutted
upon the side walls of that building. In these were doubtless lodged the
priests and other attendants upon the temple service. The side chambers
seem sometimes to have communicated with vaulted apartments within
the solid mass of the structure, like those of which we hear in the
structure supporting the "hanging gardens." It is possible that there
may have been internal stair-cases, connecting the vaulted apartments
of one stage with those of another; but the ruin has not yet been
sufficiently explored for us to determine whether or not there was such
communication.

The great Tower is thought to have been approached through a vestibule
of considerable size. Towards the north-east the existing ruin
is prolonged in an irregular manner and it is imagined that this
prolongation marks the site of a vestibule or propylaeum, originally
distinct from the tower, but now, through the crumbling down of both
buildings, confused with its ruins. As no scientific examination has
been made of this part of the mound, the above supposition