326 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



run the east ; and that at the sight of this 

 plant, which recalled the endearing remem- 

 brance of their country, they immediately 

 began to make themselves crowns of its 

 branches, and to sing hymns in honour of 

 Bacchus. 



Pliny tells us that when Alexander returned 

 from India, all his soldiers wore chaplets of 

 ivy on their heads ; and it is generally supposed 

 that the too frequent libations which the son 

 of Philip made to the god of wine, caused his 

 early visit to the shades of Pluto. 



Crowns of ivy were consecrated to Apollo 

 before the metamorphosis of Daphne into a 

 bay-tree, and Virgil says, 



" Fierce tigers Daphnis taught the yoke to bear, 

 And first with curling ivy dress'd the spear." 



Past. iv. 



The ivy, which of old crowned alike the brow 

 and the bowl of Bacchus, has been ingeniously 

 used, in later times, to represent faithful friend- 

 ship; and a sprig of this plant, with the 

 pathetic device, " I die where I attach myself," 

 cannot fail of being understood, as well as one 

 which was adopted by the friend who fol- 

 lowed the fortunes of an elevated exile, whose 

 device was ivy entwining a felled tree, sur- 

 rounded by the motto, " his fall cannot de- 

 tach me." 



