ABSTRACT
TUE merchant Iddina has returned from Babylon, where he had gone on business. He trades between that city and the N all'i, * and is therefore continually travelling. Every year he buys the produce of certain vineyards lying towards Amidi, and personally superintends the construction of the boats in which he carries the wine. Their form is very curious. They are round baskets made of osiers or willows, covered with skins sewn together. Some of them are very large, and can carry a weight of five thousand talents. t A layer of straw is placed at the bottom, upon which the jars of wine are carefully packed, then more straw is laid over them. The crew always includes at least two rowers and one or more asses. At the end of the journey the merchant sells the straw and wine, then dismantles the boat, which cannot be taken to Nalri by the Tigris on account of the rapidity of the current, sells the baskets for what
he can get, loads the asses with the skins, and returns to his home by land.
