171 
THE PALM. 
PALMA. 
“ Meek souls there are. who little deem 
Their daily strife an angel’s theme, 
Or that the rod they take so calm 
Shall prove in heaven the martyr’s palm.” 
Whatever praise may be awarded to the bay, there 
are few but will be disposed to give yet higher honour 
to the palm. Like its classic associate (with which it 
was often blended), it was considered an appropriate 
meed for the victor, but more generally it was reserved 
for religious triumphs; and from this, as well as from 
the prominent place it occupies in Holy Writ, we feel 
the epithet of “celestial palm,” bestowed on it by Pope, 
not inapplicable. But we must leave these consider¬ 
ations for a while, till its natural peculiarities and real 
utility have been briefly noticed. 
There are many beautiful species of this magnificent 
genus: one of the most beautiful of which, perhaps, is 
found on the shores of the Orinoco, which, 
-“ Like a sunbom king, 
Its proud tiara spreads elate,” 
