THE FIR TRIBE. 



327 



Frequent mention occurs in tlie Sacred Writings 

 of the Cedar and Fir, the wood of both trees 

 being peculiarly adapted for building. The 

 Cedar still flourishes on the same site which it 

 occupied in the days of Solomon ; the Fir (Be- 

 roth) is supposed to be the same with the Cu- 

 pressus of the Latins and our Cypress, a common 

 tree in the East, Solomon employed both Cedar 

 and Fir in the erection of the Temple, the floor 

 of which was of Fir ; the musical instruments 

 of David were of the same wood. Pliny men- 

 tions that the doors and other parts of the temple 

 of Diana, at Ephesus, were made of Cypress- 

 wood. The Thyine-wood (Rev. xviii. 12) is 

 supposed to be another species of Cypress. The 

 wealthy among the Romans adorned their villas 

 with this w^ood ; Varro, describing the splendour 

 of a certain villa, celebrates the golden decora- 

 tions, but praises in still higher terms the wains- 

 coting of precious Thyia-wood. Being so much 

 in demand, it became an important article of 

 trade, and is therefore classed among the precious 

 merchandize of fallen Babylon. The Gropher- 

 wood, of which the Ark was built, is thought to 

 be another species of Cypress : being at once 

 light, and not subject to rot, it was often used in 

 ship-building. Alexander the Great caused the 

 great fleet which he prepared, to be constructed 

 of Cypress wood, which was brought from Assyria. 



The Talmudists relate, that it was customary 

 in Judaea for each family to plant a Cedar before 

 the house at the birth of a son, and a Fir at the 

 birth a daughter. These trees were deemed 

 sacred, and were not cut down till the children 

 were grown up and needed the timber for their 



