45 
Ron 
!Cv,bI 
iee;s 
saciin 
IS Miff 
ASYLUM, PROTECTION. 
The ancients consecrated this shrub to 
the Eumenides. The smoke of its green 
branches was the incense which s in prefer¬ 
ence, they chose to offer to the infernal gods ; 
and burnt its berries on funereal occasions, 
to drive away evil spirits. The simple villa¬ 
gers of our own land superstitiously believe 
that the perfume of its berries purifies the 
air, and protects them from the malevolence 
of wicked genii. 
The Chinese delight to decorate their gar¬ 
dens with this plant. It groups and com¬ 
bines very well with cypresses, American 
cedars, and various species of the pine and 
fir tribe. It is commonly found growing 
wild on the outskirts of woods and forests, 
where it often affords a safe retreat to the 
hunted hare, which, in the last extremity, 
conceals itself beneath its protecting branches. 
It is said that the powerful odour emitted by 
this plant defeats the keen scent of the hound. 
Its thick branches, bristling with thorns, 
are covered with thousands of brilliant in¬ 
sects, which seem to imagine this tree is 
provided as a protection for their weakness. 
