FLOWERS OF THE HOLY LAND. 35 



remains of former times, we may know why we are unable to 

 describe all the flowers that once grew in this pleasant land, 

 the names of which and the descriptions we have, but whose 

 forms have long since passed away. Once there were many 

 flowers and fruits peculiar to the Holy Land ; and we read of 

 some transported and preserved with care because here they 

 found their native soil;* but, like the ancient people of God, 

 the former owners of the land, they have been scattered among 

 the nations of earth. A few have remained in the land, grow 

 ing side by side with others which, having sprung up in late 

 years, were unknown when Solomon planted his &quot;gardens and 

 orchards,&quot; and even when our Lord compared with Solomon 

 the flowers on the fields around him. 



Notwithstanding all these changes, there are many flowers 

 remaining, full of beauty and of eloquence. Some of these 

 still linger in the land as the long-abiding representatives of 

 those whose names are written in the Holy Word. Prophets 

 and kings and historians of early ages called these by name 

 and admired them. They looked upon them as we can now, 

 and in their bright and innocent forms saw images of beauty, 

 and made them tributary to their thoughts of reverence, of 

 joy, and of majesty. We too would meditate upon them. Per 

 chance they will speak to us the thoughts that in centuries past 

 they uttered to hosts who have long since entered the paradise 

 above. To these classic specimens we have given precedence, 

 and in alphabetic order. There is another class, claiming atten 

 tion from their beauty and from the tenacity with which they 



* Maillet, Letters. 



