FLORA'S LEX ICON. 71 



VTPRESS. Caj. Class 



2, Mon(i:cia. Order: Monadklimu v. The 

 cypress is the universal emblem of mourn- 

 in g, and is the funeral tree in the eastern 

 world, from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian 

 Sea; it is also dedicated to the dead, from 

 '- Mazanderan to Constantinople, as well as to 

 the utmost bounds of China's fruitful shores. 



Ovid gives us a traditionary account of the mournful origin of 

 the cypress tree, and we always find it devoted to mournful 

 thoughts, or sad solemnities. Cyparissus, son of Telephus of 

 Cea, was beloved by Apollo. Having killed the favourite stag 

 of his friend, he grieved, pined, and, dying, was changed by 

 Apollo into a cypress tree. Calmet describes it to be a tall, 

 straight tree, having bitter leaves. The shade and smell were 

 said to be dangerous ; hence the Romans looked on it as a fatal 

 tree, and made use of it at funerals. It is an evergreen ; the 

 wood is heavy, of rather a fragrant smell, — is not liable to be 

 attacked by insects, and does not speedily decay. Shakspeare 

 says that cypress is the emblem of mourning ; and we are told 

 by Irving that, in Latium, on the decease of any person, a branch 

 of cypress was placed before the door. 



MOURNING. 



A funeral train 



Will in a cypress grove be found. 



Lamjon. 



The moon is o'er a grove of cypress trees 

 Weeping like mourners. 



Landon. 



Peace to the dust that in silence reposes 



Beneath the dark shades of cypress and yew ; 



Let spring deck the spot with her earliest roses, 

 And heaven wash their leaves with its holiest dew. 



PlERPONT. 



