THE NATURALIST. 



MAY, 1832. 



THE OLIVE TREE. 



Olea europo&a. 



This ornament of the vegetable kingdom, which is called by 

 Columella, the first among trees, has constituted from the remot- 

 est antiquity, the pride of some of the most celebrated regions of 

 the globe; and, aside from the commercial value of its products, 

 it is invested, both by sacred and profane history, with a thousand 

 interesting associations. 



Of this tree we have very ancient mention, since it is related 

 in the book of Genesis, that the dove which Noah sent out of the 

 ai'k, returned with an olive leaf in its mouth, by which he knew that 

 the waters of the deluge had abated. Since that time the olive 

 branch has been used as an emblem of peace by all civilized na- 

 tions; and it is observed that a green bough answers the same 

 purpose among the most savage people in every part of the globe. 



That the olive tree was anciently very much esteemed by the 

 Hebrews, is proved by the parable of Jotham: — ' The trees loent 

 forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the 

 olive tree, reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, 

 should I leave my fatness, wherewith by the honor of God and 

 man, and go to be promoted over other trees'?' David also seems 

 to have considered the olive as a blessing, when he says ' Thy 

 children, like the olive branches round about thy table: Lo! thus 

 shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.' 



The Grecians appear to have thought no less of this tree and of 

 its fruit, than the Israelites. In their fabulous histories, we are 

 informed that the gods having been called on to settle a dispute 

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