Cypress. 
191 
might enter a place polluted with a dead body. It has been 
stated that the cypress was selected for these melancholy 
occasions, because this tree, being once cut down, never springs 
up again ; but, as Evelyn very justly observes, this view would 
render it an improper emblem for a Christian country. “ The 
use of evergreens,” he remarks, “ is yet not uncommon amongst 
us ; but they are supposed to be significant of immortality, at 
the same time that their balsamic scent guards the attendants 
against the infection to be apprehended.” 
It has been noticed by a distinguished floral writer, that 
those various plants used upon these sad occasions are almost 
invariably fragrant and powerful, although not always sweet- 
scented, as for instance, yew, rosemary, basil, and others. 
The fragrance of the cypress is an old theme with the poets 
—those illustrators of all natural secrets. Homer alludes to 
this pleasant odour, when in the fifth book of his “ Odyssey” 
he describes the cave of Calypso ; and Theocritus talks of 
“odorous cypresses.” Virgil, and other later poets, repeatedly 
call it “ the sweet cypress.” The balsamic scent of its timber 
formerly caused it to be held in great repute, and chips of it 
were, as Evelyn remarks, frequently used to flavour wine with. 
Miller says, “ This tree is recommended by many learned 
authors for the improvement of the air, and as a specific for 
the lungs, as sending forth quantities of aromatic scents ; 
wherefore many of the ancient physicians of the Eastern 
countries used to send their patients who were troubled 
with weak lungs to the island of Candia, which at that time 
abounded with these trees.” 
This island is yet famous for its cypresses, and there, as 
also in Malta, they are much used for buildings—a purpose 
for which their marvellous durability eminently fits them. 
The bridge built by Semiramis over the Euphrates was of this 
wood ; and so satisfied was Plato with its hardness and im¬ 
perishableness, that he had the laws engraved upon tablets of 
cypress in preference to brass itself. Pliny relates that the 
statue of Jupiter in the Capitol, made of this wood in the 
year of Rome 661, was sound in his time ; whilst, in proof of 
the immense age which the tree attains, he says that some 
then in Rome were more ancient than the city itself. Several 
fine lofty cypresses are said to be still growing in the gardens 
