3.] [Illustration: PLATE 133] Beside these round boats, which correspond closely with the _kufas_ in use upon the Tigris and Euphrates at the present day, the Assyrians employed for the passage of rivers, even in very early times, a vessel of a more scientific construction.

The early bas-reliefs exhibit to us, together with the _kufas_, a second and much larger vessel, manned with a crew of seven men--a helmsman and six rowers, three upon either side and capable of conveying across a broad stream two chariots at a time, or a chariot and two or three passengers.

This vessel appears to have been made of planks.

It was long, and comparatively narrow.

It had a flattish bottom, and was rounded off towards the stem and stern, much as boats are rounded off towards the bows at the present day.