] Sculptures similar to those along the _hareem_ wall adorned it; but its centre showed only a single gateway, guarded by one pair of the larger bulls, fronting the spectator, and standing each in a sort of recess, the character of which will be best understood by the ground-plan in the illustration.

Just inside the bulls was the great door of the palace, a single door made of wood-apparently of mulberry,--opening inwards, and fastened on the inside by a bolt at bottom, and also by an enormous lock.

This door gave entrance into a passage, 70 feet long and about 10 feet wide, paved with large slabs of stone, and adorned on either side with inscriptions, and with a double row of sculptures, representing the arrival of tribute and gifts for the monarch.

All the figures here faced one way, towards the inner palace court into which the passage led.

M.Botta believes that the passage was uncovered; while Mx.