10 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



exercises. Its "balsamic properties were considered medic- 

 inal, even to the odor exhaled from the trees. The tim- 

 ber was used extensively in both naval and civil architect- 

 ure ; and in ornamental plantations, particularly for ceme- 

 tary purposes, the Cypress was regarded as the most eli- 

 gible plant known. 



The Juniper was also known to the early writers, being 

 noticed by Pliny and Virgil ; and whilst they generally 

 admit the medicinal virtues of the fruit, its shade was 

 considered by them as highly injurious to animal life. The 

 Yews are, perhaps, more frequently mentioned by the an- 

 cient writers than any other genus of the Coniferae, allu- 

 pions being made to them in the writings of Caesar, Pliny, 

 Suetonius, Nicander, Plutarch, Galin, etc. Their poison- 

 ous properties appear to have been greatly overrated, for 

 Gerard, the quaint old writer, in his day exposed the fal- 

 lacy of most of these statements. 



The exceeding toughness of the wood of the Yew, how- 

 ever, was known and appreciated, for it was used exten- 

 sively for manufacturing bows. The custom of planting 

 the Yew around the graves of the departed was universal 

 with the ancients, and has continued popular until the 

 present day. 



In many places throughout the sacred writings we find 

 the Conifers beautifully mentioned, the similes often be- 

 ing among the most eloquent passages known in the Eng- 

 lish language. 



The Cedars are much more frequently quoted than any 

 other genus, and are particularly described as being ex- 

 ceedingly durable and strong ; thus endorsing the state- 

 ment^ of the profane writers, but in which we, of the 

 present day, cannot acquiesce. So highly was the Cedar 

 tree held in the estimation of the inspired writers that the 

 attributes of strength, height, size, growth, and fruitful 

 ness were constantly made comparable to this tree. The 

 Fir was seldom mentioned, and the Pine was alluded to 



