332 POPULAR SORIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

ivory :—* In the rubbish near the bottom of the chamber,
I found several objects in ivory, upon which were traces of
gilding ; amongst them were the figures of a king, carrying
in one hand the Egyptian crus ansata, or emblem of life,
part of a crouching sphinx, and an elegant ornamental
border of flowers.” And again: “In another chamber (of
the north-western palace at Nimroud) were discovered the
beautiful ivory ornaments now in the British Museum.
The most interesting of these ivories are two small tablets,
one nearly entire, the other much injured, on which are
carved two sitting figures, holding in one hand the Egyp-
tian sceptre, or symbol of power.”

Inlaying is still much used by the orientals in ornament-
ing their splendid apartments, though different kinds of
wood are generally employed for this purpose.

Ivory made into tablets was formerly much used for
writing upon; a paint-like ink was used, which might easily
be effaced. The prophet Amos mentions the use of ivory
in ornamenting the beds, or rather couches, on which the
Hebrews, like other eastern nations, reclined when taking
their meals; he is speaking of the luxurious inhabitants of
Zion, denouncing “them that are at ease,” and continues,
“Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of