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THE PALMS 



The term palm is derived from the Latin, palma, meaning the flat of the 

 hand. From this sense the word was applied to the palm tree, because of 

 the resemblance of its leaves to the outspread hand. 



The palms embrace 1 50 genera and 1 200 or more species of monocotyle- 

 dons. They are found almost exclusively in the tropics where they form a 

 striking part of the vegetation. They generally have a columnar trunk often 

 buttressed at the base, crowned with a rosette of large leaves, although some 

 species have branching habits and are only a few feet in height. The leaves 

 are either palmate (fan-form), or pinnate (fern-form). 



The Bible has many references to the palm tree, which is an emblem of 

 constancy, fruitfulness, patience and victory. It is described as an upright, 

 tall, flourishing and shadowy tree growing by sweet springs of water. The finest 

 palms were about Jericho and along the banks of the Jordan. 



It was probably under date palms that, the children of Israel pitched their 

 camp at Elim because there "were twelve fountains of water and three score 

 and ten palm trees." (Num. 33:9.) 



Date palms produce a great number of suckers, which form a kind of 

 forest by their spreading. It was under palm trees of this kind that the 

 prophetess Deborah dwelt between Ramah and Bethel. (Judg. 4:5.) It was 

 probably to this multiplication of the palm tree that the prophet makes al- 

 lusion when he says "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree." (Ps. 

 92:12.) It is a fitting emblem of a just man because it is constantly green, 

 flourishing and fruitful. 



A branch or leaf of the palm was borne by the ancients as a symbol of 

 victory and rejoicing. "A great multitude * * * stood, before the 

 throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white .robes, and palms in their 

 hands." (Rev. 7:9.) The poet Wordsworth refers to the ancient custom of 

 using both palms and willows as symbols of rejoicing: 



"The Hebrews thus, carrying in joyful state 

 Thick boughs of palm, and willow from the brook 

 Marched round the altar." 



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