130 
with rows of elms, every one of which lias its vine twin¬ 
ing about it, and hanging in festoons between the rows 
from one tree to another. The great old fig-trees, the 
oranges in full bloom, and myrtles in every hedge, 
make one of the most delightful scenes you can con¬ 
ceive.” 
Dissimilar as are these trees, both in their mode 
of growth and their produce, they are yet constantly 
associated in the imagination. The reason of this is, 
not only because they are so frequently seen grouped 
together in eastern and southern landscapes (the same 
soil and temperature being common to each), but because 
they are always mentioned conjunctively in the Scrip¬ 
tures as symbols and proofs of prosperity and fertility. 
“ The Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land; 
* * * a land of vines, and fig-trees, and pomegranates; 
a land of oil, olive, and honey.” Deut. viii. 8. And 
when Joshua sent men to see the promised land, and 
bring a report of it and specimens of the fruits, “ they 
came unto the brook Eschol, and cut down from thence 
a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it 
between two upon a staff: and they brought of the 
pomegranates and of the figs.” 
But we must leave the vine and the olive for future 
consideration, and direct our attention wholly to the fig. 
