116 



THE SYCAMORE. 



climbed to see our Saviour pass on his way to 

 Jerusalem being the Ficus Sycomorus, However, 

 as the error once generally prevailed, both that i 

 tree and our tree bearing the same name have 

 been selected by the inventors of the language of 

 flowers to indicate curiosity. 



Dr. Shaw, speaking of the Sycamore of the 

 East, says, The mummy-chests, and whatever 

 figures and instruments of wood are found in the 

 catacombs, are all of them of Sycamore, which, 

 though spongy and porous to appearance, has, i 

 notwithstanding, continued entire and uncorrupt- ^ 

 ed for at least three thousand years." 



From its value in furnishing wood for various 

 uses, from the grateful shade which its wide- ' 

 spreading branches afforded, and on account of 

 the fruit, which. Mallet says, the Egyptians live 

 upon and hold in the highest estimation, we 

 perceive the loss which the ancient inhabit- 

 ants must have felt ' when their vines were 

 destroyed with hail, and their Sycamore-trees 

 with frost.'"* 



. The Great Maple, or European Sycamore, 

 will grow in any soil not saturated with mois- 

 ture ; but it seems to prefer one that is dry and 

 free, rather than one that is stifi* and moist. It 

 will grow in exposed situations, and especially on ' 

 the sea coast, and maintain its erect position 

 against the sea breeze, better than most other 

 trees. It is in use for this purpose in Scotland, 

 and also for planting round farm-houses and 

 cottages on the bleak hills. In such situations, 

 an instance can hardly be found of the head of the 

 tree leaning more to one side than another. 



* Ps. ksnii. 47 . 



