THE SUB-TROPICAL ZONE. 113 



This pulp is very nutritious, and is supposed by 

 some tc have been the food of John the Bap- 

 tist in the wilderness, whence it is called 

 " Locust tree," and " St. John's bread." It is 

 also supposed to be the " husks that the swine 

 did eat," spoken of in the parable of the 

 prodigal son, (Luke xv. 16.) It is still used 

 in Palestine for feeding swine, and in Spain for 

 hordes. 



But we must not leave Palestine without 

 noticing the myrtle, which is so often found 

 in the vales among the "eternal hills," where 

 all is so calm and tranquil, that, says Dr. Kitto, 

 it naturally becomes associated in the mind 

 with everything that is lovely and peaceful. It 

 offered a choice emblem of peace and quietude, 

 and gave a lively freshness to the annuncia- 

 tion of the angel, as he stood among the 

 myrtle trees, " We have walked to and fro 

 through the earth, and behold, all the earth 

 sitteth still, and is at rest," (Zech. i. 11.) 

 One variety is called the Jews' myrtle, and has 

 its leaves in threes at each joint. It is still in 

 much request among them, and yearly do they 

 observe the feast of tabernacles, though they 

 cannot do it as once they did, when Ezra 

 exhorted them, in conformity with the Mosaic 

 ritual, to " go forth unto the mount, and fetch 

 olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle 

 branches, and palm branches, and branches of 

 thick trees, to make booths, as it is written," 

 Neh. viii.. 15. The myrtle here referred to 

 is the common myrtle, which was then, and is 



