RAY. 113 



inferior size, and the bottom was adorned 

 with a saffron-coloured garment. The globe 

 on the top represented the sun or Apollo, that 

 in the middle was an emblem of the moon, 

 and the others of the stars. The crowns, 

 which were 365 in number, represented the 

 sun's annual revolution. This allegorical 

 bough was carried to the temple in solemn 

 procession, by a beautiful youth of illustrious 

 family, who then officiated as priest of Apollo. 

 The despatches and letters which were sent 

 to the senate at Rome, from the victorious 

 generals, were made up and ornamented with 

 leaves of the Laurus; and in their triumphs 

 every common soldier carried a sprig of bay 

 in his hand, both to denote victory, and as of 

 virtue to purge them from blood and slaughter. 



Linnaeus surnamed this tree Nobilis, from 

 the exalted uses to which it has been applied; 

 for it is the brilliant symbol of all kinds of 

 triumph. It crowns conquerors, and is also the 

 most glorious attribute of clemency. This 

 divine virtue, personified, is represented in 

 the ancient medals under the figure of a 

 female holding a spear, and a branch of the 

 bay-tree. 



This tree, whose constant deep-green foli- 

 age varies so decidedly the tints in our plan- 

 tations, causes thoughts and reflections as 



VOL. i. i 



