THE LAUREL. 67 



terranean. It was sacred to Apollo, and as the sanctu- 

 aries of this god became more numerous in Greece, the 

 groves of the aromatic and evergreen Laurel were multi- 

 plied in the land. The Laurel and the IVh'rtle, which 

 was dedicated to Aphrodite, \\ ere brought o\er to Italv 

 as sacred trees at the time of the introduction of the 

 greek gods. In La Mortola Gardens the Laurel has 

 been planted to some extent, and has now established 

 itself on the \\'est slope between the road and the 

 garden. 



Shad\' avenues of Laurel and Plane, especialh' on 

 the Campus Martins, delighted the citizens of ancient 

 Rome. The belief that the Laurel afforded protection 

 against demons, sorcer\- and infection, was once univer- 

 sal. Thus we arc told that when a plague ^\'as imminent 

 the timid Commodus sought safet\' in a Laurel Grove. 

 Wreaths of Laurel were placed on the brows and round 

 the necks of the insane to cure them. Laurel berries or 

 leaves were partaken of b\' the priests of Apollo before 

 prophesying; and prophets carried Laurel when entering 

 a town. The Laurel cleansed from blood-guiltiness, and 

 with it the Roman legions purified their standards and 

 weapons directh- after a victor^^ Hence it came to be 

 regarded as an emblem of victory and a symbol of 

 successfulh" accomplished campaigns. It was considered 

 as an omen of CTOod fortune that on tlie da\' when 

 Augustus w as born the Laurel tree in front of the Fala- 

 tine sprouted. The cleansing properties of the Laurel 

 led to its use as an aspergillum. The devotee dipped 

 Laurel leaves into the holv water and sprinkled himself 



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