RED CEDAR LORE 279 



order to screen her son from the assassins em- 

 ployed by Herod, Mary is said to have 'hidden 

 him under certain plants and trees which re- 

 ceived her blessing in return for the shelter they 

 afforded. Among the plants thus blessed the 

 juniper has been peculiarly invested with the 

 power and privilege of putting to flight the spirits 

 of evil and destroying the charms of the ma- 

 gician. Thus, even to this day, the stables in 

 Italy are preserved from demons and thunder- 

 bolts by means of a sprig of juniper. 



But the lowly juniper is not the only famous 

 relative of our red cedar at home or abroad. 

 Closely allied to it are the biggest trees in the 

 world, famous as descendants from a far-distant 

 age, yet still living and green. These are the 

 "big trees" of the Pacific Coast, the Sequoia gi- 

 gantea, vv^hich are indeed trees vastly to be mar- 

 velled at for their size and to be venerated for 

 their age and virility, but never to be loved so 

 well as our dignified and beautiful friend of the 

 hillside pastures. 



Abroad, the cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani, 

 which Solomon glorified in his song, is an allied 

 species, and so is the cypress, celebrated in song 

 and story since the beginnings of time. The 



