TREES IN NATURE 87 



in literature, as too large a task for inclusion 

 within the narrow limits of a small book. But 

 a brief note of such mention of the willow is 

 almost a necessity. 



As we look at the tree we can find no reason, 

 in its mere appearance, why it should be linked 

 with sadness. Such association with the sombre 

 yew and cypress presents no difficulty. But 

 the willow has a cheerful aspect. Literature 

 only gives us partial help. It proves the as- 

 sociation to be widespread and of long stand- 

 ing. Here, as in many other things, we find 

 that our attitude has been determined by the 

 Bible. To the Jews the willow was at one 

 time an emblem of joy. At the institution of 

 the feast of tabernacles, the children of Israel 

 received the command, " ye shall take you 

 on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, 

 branches of palm-trees, and the boughs of 

 thick trees, and willows of the brook ; and ye 

 shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven 

 days ". The very words ** willows of the brook " 

 seem to have a joyous sound, and one can 

 well understand that this would be so in the 

 East, where river or spring means the difference 

 between fertility and barrenness. Even the 



