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and not inhabited." This probably alludes to some species of lichen, which may endure such a situation, but which derives a very scanty subsistence, exhibits a scorched and withered appearance, and never rise to any considerable degree of elevation, strength, or usefulness. The contrast is strikingly beautiful: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is; for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding her fruit." Jer. xvii. 5, 8.

We advance now to TREES and woody Shrubs, and commence with such as are fruit-bearing; or rather, such whose fruit is used for the food of man, for all trees bear fruit of some kind or other.

The Almond Tree.

This tree derives its Hebrew name from a word which signifies the waker or the watcher; it being the most early blossoming of all fruit-bearing trees; in Syria it flowers in the month of January or February, and by March brings its fruit to perfection. Hence when Jeremiah saw in vision an almond-tree (or watcher) the Lord thus applied it, "I am hastening (or watching over) my word to fulfil it," Jer. i. 11, 12.

When the divine appointment of one of the tribes of Israel to minister in holy things, was to be made known, Moses was directed to take a rod of each

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1, FIG TREE, 2, ALMOND TREE.

tribe, and lay them up in the tabernacle. The following day it was found that the rod of Aaron of the tribe of Levi had blossomed, and was covered with fruit, as if growing on the tree; thus was his appointment confirmed, and his duty intimated, that of "watching" for the spiritual welfare of Israel, "as one that must give an account."-Num. xvii. 6, 8.

In the sublime poetical description given by Solomon of the approach and appearance of old age, it is said, "the almond-tree shall flourish," Eccles. xii. 5. This has generally been applied to the hoary locks of age: some interpreters, however, have contended against it, and suppose it may refer rather to the attendance of physicians, or other watchers of the bodily health, which, at a time when nature is decaying, is of course most frequent and observable; this however appears far-fetched; and if the generally adopted application be not correct, in all probability the true one has not yet been suggested.

Almonds were among the productions of Canaan sent by Jacob as a present to the governor of Egypt, Gen. xliii. 11. They were also among the ornaments of the tabernacle, Exod. xxv. 33.

The Hazel-nut is once mentioned in the sacred volume, but many eminent critics are of opinion that the almond-tree is intended.

Nuts.

Nuts are among the articles mentioned in Jacob's present: some critics suppose that the pistachio nut is intended, of which the finest in the world are pro

duced in Syria: others suppose that the produce of a species of the terebinth is intended, which is preferred to the pistachio nut, and even to the almond. The Chesnut Tree.

This is only twice mentioned in Scripture, Gen. xxx. 37. Ezek. xxxi. 8. and in both instances it appears probable that the plane-tree rather is intended, as the sense of the prophet in the latter passage seems to require a tree possessing extensive branches, and producing a considerable shade.

The Apple Tree.

"As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved among the sons," Cant, ii. 3. This is the language of the church exalting the glories of her beloved Lord, who was in every sense "fairer than the children of men." In the same poem there are other allusions, both to this tree and to its fruit, ii. 5. vii. 8. viii. 5.-It is also mentioned by the prophet Joel, in connexion with some of the most beautiful and valuable trees of Palestine, "the vine, the fig-tree, the pomegranate-tree, the palm-tree also, and the apple tree," Joel i. 12.-Solomon also compares a well-timed and fitly spoken word to "apples of gold in pictures (frames, baskets, or lattice work) of silver," Prov. xxv. 11. From these various passages we collect, that the tree spoken of was by no means uncommon in Palestine—that it was esteemed the noblest among the trees of the wood; its fruit was very sweet, pleasant, and reviving; of the colour of gold, and extremely fragrant. Now the apple,

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