( 126 ) 



during the reigns of the Roman Caefars. 

 From a vaft ftem it divided into feveral huge 

 boughs ', every one of which had the confe- 

 quence of a large tree ; and at a diftance the 

 whole together exhibited the appearance of a 

 grove. It's branches ftill flourished, while it's 

 trunk decayed. This in procefs of time moul- 

 dered into an immenfe cave, at leaft eighty 

 feet in circumference -, around the lides of 

 which were placed feats of pumice ftone ; 

 cufhioned foftly with mofs. This tree was 

 firft brought into repute by Licinius Mutianus, 

 governor of Lycia. Licinius was a curious 

 man; and not unverfed in natural hiftory. 

 Pliny, from whom we have the account of the 

 tree, has thought proper to quote him fre- 

 quently ; mentioning particularly his remarks 

 on Egyptian paper * ; and alfo on that kind 

 of wood, of which the ftatue of Diana at 

 Ephefus was made-)-. With the Lycian-plane 

 Licinius was exceedingly pleafed ; and often 

 enjoyed the company of his friends under it's 

 made. It was great luxury, he would fay, to 

 dine in it's trunk on a fultry fummer-day ; 



* Lib. xiii. c. 13. f Lib. xvi. c. 40. 



and 



