228 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



proportionably began to lose sight of nature, 

 did not comprehend the meaning of this ; 

 but, upon enquiry, they discovered that 

 Darius meant they should understand it to be 

 his resolution utterly to exterminate them ; 

 for the pine-tree once cut down shoots out 

 again no more. 



It is scarcely possible to behold the dark 

 towering pine and fir, without having our 

 thoughts carried back to very early ages, and 

 also our reflections ; for these trees remind 

 us of from what small beginnings great events 

 often take birth. 



These trees were dedicated to Diana, the 

 immaculate virgin, who was supposed to pre- 

 side over hunting. She was represented by 

 the moon, because the light of the moon was 

 propitious to huntsmen, for spreading their 

 nets and other toils to entrap the game. The 

 sports of the field were thought to be un- 

 favourable to Venus, and were therefore 

 more sacred to Diana. In the forest, the 

 pine-tree was naturally made the rendezvous 

 for the followers of the chase. The hunts- 

 man then suspended the head of a wolf on 

 the branches of the pine or fir, to secure the 

 protection of the chaste goddess. In time, 

 the whole skin was displayed on it ; and as in 

 that age, like the present time, there were 



