term particularly used for magnificent buildings fallen into decay by length of time, and whereof there only remains a confused heap of materials. Such are the ruins of the tower of Babel, of the tower of Belus, two days journey from Bagdad, in Syria, on the banks of the Euphrates; which are now no more than a heap of bricks, cemented with bitumen, and whereof we only perceive the plan to have been square. Such also are the ruins of a famous temple, or palace, near Schiras, in Persia, which the antiquaries will have to have been built by Ahasuerus, and which the Persians now call Tchelminiar, or Chelminiar; g. d. the 40 columns; because there are so many columns remaining pretty entire, with the traces of others; a great quantity of basso-relievo, and unknown characters, sufficient to shew the magnificence of the antique architecture. The most remarkable ruins now existing of whole cities are those of Palmyra and Persepolis, of the grandeur of which some idea may be formed from the views given in the plates referred to from these articles, to which may be added those of Herculaneum and Pompeium. The magnificent ruins still remaining in Rome, Athens, &c. of particular edifices, as temples, palaces, amphitheatres, aqueducts, baths, &c. it were endless to enumerate, and beyond the plan of this work to represent.

Ruzia, in botany: A genus of the polyandria order, belonging to the monodelphia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 37th order, Columbiferae. The calyx is double; the external are triphyllous; the internal are parted into five. The corolla consists of five petals, inclining to the right hand side, and adhering to the stamens, which are from 30 to 40. It has ten styli, and as many capsules. These are compressed and membranous. In each capsule are two seeds. There are four species, viz. 1. Cordata; 2. Lobata; 3. Palmata; 4. Lacinata, all natives of Asia and the Cape of Good Hope.