II. 



THE SACRED TREES OF ASSYRIA. 



Out of the study of the Flora of the Monuments 

 there arises the question of the origin of the so-called 

 Sacred Trees, of which the Assyrians appear to have 

 had several forms. 



We call them sacred trees because kings, priests, and 

 genii of various sorts are shown standing or kneeling 

 before such trees in an attitude of adoration. 



Moreover, the genii are in the attitude of perform- 

 ing some office which evidently, in the eyes of the 

 Assyrians, had some spiritual or supernatural meaning. 



All their trees are more or less conventional, as we 

 find them in all ancient sculptures and paintings, when 

 art was in its infancy ; but their sacred trees are much 

 more conventional,^ and they are made up, as we shall 

 see, of some interesting elements. 



It is probable that most ancient peoples have had 

 one or more trees and other plants which they held 

 in veneration. The oak is said to have been held in 

 veneration among the ancient Gauls. The Hindoos 

 have not only the " Deodar " and the " Peepul " [Ficiis 

 Religiosa), but many other plants, which are dedicated 

 to their gods. 



^ As happily expressed by Prof. Hommel, they are "holy trees translated 

 into architecture." 



