36 PINES 



more puzzling hieroglyphic formation — both of them 

 culled from the deep depths of dead languages — 

 denote Torch Pines, or Firebrands. Both of them, 

 too, have similar significances, and are associated 

 with those Pine trees that are most super-abundant 

 in resinous qualities. 



When it was thought befitting in an olden day, 

 where primitive customs prevailed, to requisition a 

 little illumination for the purpose of a more decorous 

 carr3dng out of certain ceremonies, or orgies, as the 

 case might be, these sort of Pitch Pine trees and their 

 boughs w^ere articles in great request. 



If it was a marriage ceremony that was contem- 

 plated, a nuptial torch {tceda jugalis) was deemed an 

 essential: a custom, we might add, that has its con- 

 tinuance in a modern-day world. The torch dance 

 at a royal wedding in the Prussian Court has been 

 accounted by eye-witnesses the most picturesque 

 episode of its drawn-out proceedings. 



If a torchlight procession was considered the right 

 thing, or regarded as a desirable adjunct in the in- 

 terests of artistic effect — at one time, perhaps, on 

 the occasion of a conquering hero's return, at another 

 as an obbligato to the obsequies of a defunct celebrity, 

 or even maybe as a more commonly employed ac- 

 companiment of various other kinds of jaunts, 

 pageants, carnivals, or masquerades, either of a festal 

 or funeral nature — these Torch Pines {tcedce ar- 

 dentes) were the fiery beacons that lent colour to the 

 scenes, and gave the whole proceedings a tone. 



From many of these trees enumerated in the 

 Taedse group, this obligation was expected to be 

 forthcoming. They were depended upon, before the 

 dawning days of electricity, acetylene, or kerosene 

 convenience, to contribute those rays of primitive 

 light that were required, and w^re all that at that 

 time was obtainable to impart dignity and add 



