EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
271 
diminished in number, though there are still specimens mea- 
suring thirty-six feet in circumference. Mount Lebanon is 
inhabited by numerous Maronite Christians, who hold an- 
nually a celebration of the Transfiguration under the 
shade of the existing trees, which they call the u Feast of 
CedarsP 
The Cedar of Lebanon is nearly related to the Larch, hav- 
ing its leaves collected in parcels like that tree, but differs 
widely in the circumstance of its foliage being evergreen. 
It is remarkable for the wide extension of its branches, and 
the immense surface covered by its overshadowing canopy 
of foliage. In the sacred writings it is often alluded to as an 
emblem of great strength, beauty, and duration. il Behold 
the Assyrian was a Cedar in Lebanon, with fair branches, 
and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature ; and 
his top was among the thick boughs. His boughs were 
multiplied, and his branches became long. The fir trees 
were not like his boughs, nor the chestnut trees like his 
branches, nor any tree in the garden of God like unto him 
in beauty.”* 
In England the Cedar of Lebanon appears to have become 
quite naturalized. There it is considered by far the most 
ornamental of all the Pine tribe, — possessing, when full 
grown, an air of dignity and grandeur beyond any other tree. 
To attain the fullest beauty of development, it should always 
stand alone, so that its far-spreading horizontal branches can 
have full room to stretch out and expand themselves on 
every side. Loudon in his Arboretum, gives a representa- 
tion of a superb specimen now growing at Syon House, the 
Ezekiel, xxxl 
