168 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



only, where its majestic beauties attracted the 

 admiration of the Psalmist, who celebrated its 

 spreading branches by his pen. " It is neither 

 travellers nor naturalists," says Madame de 

 Genlis, " who could have named the oak, the 

 king of trees. The rose will be in all 

 countries the queen of flowers ; but, amongst 

 trees, this honour belongs only to the ancient 

 and majestic cedar." 



This noble tree has a dignity and a gene- 

 ral striking character of growth so peculiar to 

 itself, that no other tree can possibly be mis- 

 taken for it. It is instantly recognized by its 

 wide extending branches, that incline their 

 extremities downwards, exhibiting a most 

 beautiful upper surface, like so many verdant 

 banks, which, when agitated by the wind, play 

 in the most graceful manner, forming one of 

 most elegant as well as one of the most noble 

 objects of the vegetable kingdom. 



The Latins called this tree Cedrus, from 

 the Greek Ke<!po, the Arabians call it Serbin, 

 the Italians Cedro, the Spaniards Cedro, the 

 French Ccdre. 



At what exact period, or by whom, this 

 superb tree was first introduced into this 

 country, is yet to be discoved. Gerard, Park- 

 inson, Johnson, and other old writers on this 

 subject, give us the history of the cedar, but 



