IVORY. 331

aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they
have made me glad.” Of course the latter expression can
only be intended to show that ivory was abundantly used
in the interior decoration of the palaces alluded to, the
practice of inlaying being in very extensive use among the
ancients, both classical and oriental. Lucan alludes to
this art, when describing the banqueting hall of Cleopatra.

“Rich as some fane by lavish zealots rear’d,
For the proud banquet stood the hall prepared ;
Thick golden plates the latent beams infold,
And the high roof was fretted o’er with gold ;
Of solid marble all the walls were made,

And onyx ev’n the meaner floors inlaid,
While porphyry and agate, round the court,
In masay columns rose, a proud support.
Of solid ebony each post was wrought,
From swarthy Meroé profasely brought ;

- With ivory was the entrance crusted o’er,
And polish’d tortoise hid each shining door ;
While on the cloudy spots enchased was seen,
The lively emerald’s never-fading green.”

And Virgil says,

“The surrounding ebon’s darker hue,
Improves the polish’d ivory to the view.”

In Layard’s ‘Nineveh’ are the following notices of