94 WILD FLOWEBS. 



becometh a tree ; so that the birds of the air 

 conie and lodge in the branches thereof."* 

 A great variety of opinion lias been entertained 

 as to the species intended in this text. The 

 eastern mnstard, (Sinapis orientalis,) has been 

 often considered as the Scripture mustard. It 

 is very common in Palestine, and very similar 

 in its appearance to our charlock. The warmth 

 of the climate, however, renders it far more 

 luxuriant ; and it attains the height of a shrub, 

 or even a tree ; but as it has not a woody stem, 

 or branches, and it dies down to the ground 

 every winter, it can scarcely be called a tree. 

 Here again, we must refer to that valuable work, 

 the " Pictorial Palestine." The author of this 

 book quotes from the travels of captains Irby 

 and Mangles. Speaking of vegetable produc- 

 tions in the neighbourhood of the Dead sea, 

 these travellers say, "There was one curious 

 tree, which we observed in great plenty ; and 

 which bears a fruit in bunches, resembling in 

 appearance the currant, with the colour of the 

 plum. It has a pleasant, although strongly aro- 

 matic taste, exactly resembling mustard ; and, 

 if taken in any quantity, produces a similar 

 irritability of the nose and eyes, to that which 

 is caused by taking mustard. The leaves of the 

 tree have the same pungent flavour as the fruit, 

 although not so strong. We think it probable 

 that this is the tree our Saviour alluded to, in 

 the parable of the mustard-seed, and not the 

 plant we have in the north : for although, in our 



• Matt. xiii. 31, 32. 



