62 BRIER. 



men of Succoth with the thorns of the wilderness and with 

 briers. 



Though the single pink rose known to us as the sweet- 

 brier is rather pleasant as a wild flower, it leaves upon the 

 stem a red berry, wholly unfit for food ; is quite ephemeral, 

 and not very fragrant; and the roots run through the ground, 

 often intruding upon plants of greater value. At the same 

 time, its thorns are unusually thick and sharp. Hence it has 

 never been a favorite, and seems to have been always spoken 

 of with contempt in the Scriptures, or as used for the punish 

 ment to which we have already alluded. 



