98 HEATH. 



On the plains near Joppa it grows in such abundance that, 

 according to some authorities, it is gathered and burned by the 

 soap-makers for its ashes. The heather is visited by the bees 

 for the honey they can make from its little flowers; and these 

 have probably for many ages been the source from which a 

 very agreeable quality has been derived. The Crusaders were 

 so fond of the honey of the Holy Land that many of them 

 died because of over-indulgence. The plant is seldom seen but 

 by itself and in places not very favorable to richer growths. 

 It bears a small leaf, and there is a uniformity in size in flowers 

 and leaves. 



The sentiment suggested by the scriptural context in which 

 this plant is referred to is that of lonescmeness, which may be 

 truly associated with the heath, as it seldom grows in habita 

 ble places. 



The &quot; heath&quot; of Jer. xlviii. G is properly supposed to be the 

 tamarix or juniper. 



