C is 2 ) 



the ancient trees he faw only eleven: thofe 

 of younger growth far exceeded that number, 

 Some of thefe old cedars were four, or five 

 fathoms in circumference. Under one of them 

 was erected an altar; where the clergy of 

 Tripoli, and the neighbouring convent of Maf- 

 furki fometimes celebrated mafs. From this 

 tree fpread five limbs, refembling fubftantial 

 trees, each being about an hundred feet in 

 length ; and inferted into the main trunk about 

 fourteen, or fifteen feet from the ground. 



Thefe are noble dimenfions, tho it is pro- 

 bable, that the beft of the trees now left 

 upon mount Lebanon, are only the refufe of 

 the ancient race ; as we may well fuppofe, 

 the beft were occafionally taken firft. If 

 Solomon's botanical works had ftill been pre- 

 ferved, it is probable we mould have met 

 with trees of much larger dimenfions, than 

 thofe, which either Maundrel, or Van Egmont 

 meafured. 



One of the nobleft trees on record, is a 

 chefhut upon mount .rEtna, called the Caf- 

 tagna de cento cavalli. It is ftill alive, but 

 has loft much of it's original dignity. Many 

 travellers take notice of it. Brydone was one 



of 



