CEDARS OF LEBANON, 193 
rect, must have been then about four hundred 
years old. But we must warn our young readers 
that these legends are not always—indeed, not 
often—correct, and that there is, therefore, some 
doubt whether the Sycamore-tree in question 
was that same tree up which Zaccheus climbed 
because he was short of stature. 
A French newspaper, some years ago, contained 
the account of the felling of an old Oak in the 
forest of Ardennes. ‘The woodsman who cut it 
down was surprised to find in its interior some 
remains of sacrificial vessels, and some ancient 
medals or coins. ‘The date of these coins was 
upwards of two hundred and seventy years pre- 
vious to the foundation of the City of Rome. It 
was calculated from these data, that the tree 
could not be less than three thousand six hundred 
years old. M.de Candolle questions the accuracy 
of this calculation, and says that the utmost we 
can assume is that the coins were probably hid in 
the trunk at the invasion of the Goths, when 
coins were often largely secreted ; and this would 
make this venerable oak at least fifteen or sixteen 
hundred years old. 
_ The Cypress likewise attains a great age. This 
Oo 
