110 ALFEED B. KENDLE^ ESQ.^ D.SC.^, F.R.S.^ F.L.S., ON 



was considered so difficult in the parable to distinguish between 

 the Wheat and the Tares, but the Tares of the Bible were a. 

 kind of grass, the Darnel, which would be very difficult to 

 distinguish fi-om wheat until both were fully grown, and then 

 they were easily distinguishable. 



This is a picture of the Papyrus which grows on the northern 

 course of the Jordan ; and this is the Marjoram, which may be 

 the plant referred to under the name Hyssop, which was 

 used for sprinkling the blood of the Paschal Lamb. This is a 

 Mandrake. It is a plant with a golden-yellow fruit much prized 

 by the women of Palestine, in the same way as in the old story 

 in Genesis. 



There are very few flowers mentioned in the Bible. We 

 remember Christ's reference to the Lilies, but the Lily as wo- 

 und erstand it is not a native of Palestine. If any one flower- 

 was meant, I suggest the Anemone, as it grows in very large- 

 quantities in Palestine, and forms a brilHant carpet of colour. 



Another misnomer is the Rose, the Rose of Sharon. The Rose 

 is not a native of Palestine, and it certainly was not the plant 

 referred to. The Hebrew word denotes a plant growing from a 

 bulb and was, perhaps, a species of Narcissus like a Jonquil, 

 which grows from a bulb and is a very common plant. 



I hope I have not detained you too long, but I might spend 

 a very long time on this subject. 



Discussion. 



Dr. ScHOFiELD (Chairman) said he would not make any remarks 

 upon the very interesting paper to which they had just Ustened, 

 but rose to propose a hearty vote of thanks to the learned lecturer 

 for his interesting address, which he felt sure would be carried with 

 acclamation . 



He should much like, before he sat down, to ask the lecturer three 

 •questions :■ — First, was the prickly pear, which is now all over 

 Palestine, there in the time of Christ ? Secondly, the Palm tree 

 is now nearly extinct in Palestine. Is it probable it will again 

 multiply ? Thirdly, may not the Rock Cistus be the Rose of 

 Sharon ? He begged to propose a hearty vote of thanks to Dr. Rendle 

 for his admirable paper. 



