112 



FLORA OF THE 



reproduced conventionally in their sacred date trees. It 

 is true that the pinnze, or subdivisions of the leaves of 

 their sacred date tree, are reversed^ as seen in fig. 50, 

 but this variant may have been suggested by the 

 proximity of two palm leaves, as shown in fig. 51. 



Fig. 51. — Proximity of date 

 leaves, suggesting reversion 

 of the pinnae. 



Fig. 50. — Form of sacred tree. 

 Rawlinson's ' Monarchies.' 



The proximity of the feathers of a sphinx (fig. 52) 

 show the same thing. Moreover, those ancient artists 

 were not very particular about showing which way the 

 barbs of feathers lie, as shown in fig. 52. 



The leaves of the palmette of the sacred tree (fig. 50) 

 cannot, I think, be interpreted into anything but date 

 leaves, with a midrib, and with the pinnae reversed. 

 Certainly the lotus petal has nothing to correspond with 

 this. 



And I think the palm trees shown in fig. 53 are 

 sufficiently realistic to satisfy any botanist. 



