122 PLANTS IN SCRIPTURE 



9. " And they cut down a branch with one cluster 

 of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff, 

 and they brought pomegranates and figs." This 

 cluster of grapes brought upon a staff by the spies was 

 an incredible sight, in Philo Judasus, seemed notable in 

 the eyes of the Israelites, but more wonderful in our 

 own, who look only upon northern vines. But herein 

 you are like to consider, that the cluster was thus 

 carefully carried to represent it entire, without bruising 

 or breaking ; that this was not one bunch, but an 

 extraordinary cluster, made up of many depending 

 upon one gross stalk. And, however, might be 

 paralleled with the eastern clusters of Margiana and 

 Caramania, if we allow but half the expressions of 

 Pliny and Strabo, whereof one would lade a curry or 

 small cart ; and may be made out by the clusters of 

 the grapes of Rhodes presented unto Duke Radzivil, 

 each containing three parts of an ell in compass, and 

 the grapes as big as prunes. 



10. Some things may be doubted in die species of 

 the holy ointment and perfume. 1 With amber, musk, 

 and civet we meet not in the Scripture, nor any odours 

 from animals ; except we take the onycha of that per- 

 fume, for the covercle of a shell-fish, called unguis 



1 Exod. xxx. 34, 35. 



