174: LIFE OF A TREE. 
branches in its early time of youth, are seen for 
the five hundredth time dancing in the brisk air; 
their tone deepens with the advancing year, and 
all their functions go on as well and vigorously 
as ever. In Scripture language ‘‘it takes deep 
root, it fills the land. The hills are covered’ 
with the shadow of it, and its boughs are like 
the goodly cedars. It sends out its boughs to 
the sea, and its branches to the river.”* HEven 
in its old age it is *‘ fat and flourishing.’’} 
But let us take a nearer view of this apparently 
hale old tree. Look at it in the Frontispiece 
too: approaching it on another side, it appears 
a mighty, solid mass of timber; but on this, we 
perceive a great hole completely through the tree, 
large enough for the entrance of two or three 
men. We may step inside the tree, and there is 
room for a party of seven or eight in its capacious 
recess. The shepherd well knows the spot, and 
often drives his flock to lie down under its broad 
shadow, while he himself ensconces himself in the 
wooden room within the tree; leaving his dog as 
sentinel and guard, whilst he betakes himself to a 
quiet sleep. On touching the sides of this singu- 
= Psalm Ixxx. 9, 10, 11. + Psalm xcii. 14, 
