134 TSUGA, OR HEMLOCK SPRUCE FIRS 



the Hebrew word erez, derived from an Arab root, 

 and a word applying to a firmly rooted and a strong 

 tree. From el erez to Larch is a corruption and 

 contraction that may easily have arisen. 



The Greek word \api^ makes appearance, duly 

 entered and certified in authorized Greek Lexicons, 

 and is translated " the Larch tree " ; so the name 

 of such a tree is one of respectable antiquity whatever 

 else may be conjectured about its antecedents. 



But whoever was responsible for the name — He- 

 brew, Arabian, Greek, or Pelasgian — it would not 

 have been inappropriate if it had been traced ety- 

 mologically to the Etruscan word lar, which repre- 

 sented the tutelary overlord and genius of the des- 

 tinies of the household. The two words may have 

 no — or even have not — remote connection, but had 

 the derivation held good it would have been no mis- 

 nomer, for the Larch has certainly earned an 

 honoured position among the Lares and Penates of 

 many who own broad acres of woodlands, and done 

 its bit for those who occupy great territorial 

 possessions. 



We have been told how the clansmen of the house 

 of Argyll were wont to shower religious blessings on 

 their chieftain, and cry aloud in gratitude " God bless 

 the Duke of Argyll," as they rubbed shoulders against 

 the posts he had erected for their creature comforts, 

 or the creature comforts more primarily intended 

 for use, we opine, among their more bestial brethren 

 of the animal kingdom. 



With tenser impulse still must successive genera- 

 tions of another ennobled (Scottish) house have, we 

 think, had reason many times to bless the memory, 

 and cry aloud their gratitude, when they remembered 

 their progenitor, the 4th Duke of Atholl. 



The Planting Duke, John the Planter, or the Tree 

 Monger, as he was variously called, it has been 



