THE FIR TEIBE. 357 



the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere. Some 

 species are found both in Europe and America, so far 

 north as to border on the regions of perpetual snow ; 

 and others, in Central Europe and in Asia, on the 

 Alpine and Himalayan mountains, where, from their 

 great elevation, the climate is equally cold. Other 

 species occupy the same position in the mountains of 

 America, extending to the height of more than twelve 

 thousand feet, beyond which altitude vegetation entirely 



Frequent mention occurs in the Sacred Writings of the 

 Cedar and Fir, the wood of both trees being peculiarly 

 adapted for building. The Cedar still flourishes on the 

 same site which it occupied in the days of Solomon ; the 

 Fir (Beroth) is supposed to be the same with the Cupressus 

 of the Latins and our Cypress, a common tree in the East. 

 Solomon employed both Cedar and Fir in the erection of 

 the Temple, the floor of which was of Fir ; the musical 

 instruments of David were of the same wood. Pliny 

 mentions that the doors and other parts of the Temple 

 of Dianq,, at Ephesus, were made of Cypress-wood. The 

 Thyine-wood (Rev. xviii. 12) is supposed to be another 

 species of Cypress. The wealthy among the Eomans 

 adorned their villas with this wood : Yarro, describing the 

 splendour of a certain villa, celebrates the golden decora- 

 tions, but praises in still higher terms the wainscoting 

 of precious Thyia-wood. Bemg so much in demand, it 

 became an important article of trade, and is therefore 

 classed among the precious merchandise of fallen Babylon. 

 The Gopher-wood, of which the Ark was built, is thought 

 to be another species of Cypress : being at once light, and 

 not subject to rot, it was often used in shipbuilding. Alex- 

 ander the Great caused the great fleet which he prepared 

 to be constructed of Cypress-wood, which was brought 

 from Assyria. 



The Talmudists relate, that it was customary in Judaea 

 for each family to plant a Cedar before the house at the 



