The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-02


and re-echoed down the leafy aisles.
We are not alone after all, and with
this pleasing thought we go deeper
and deeper into the forest. Every
sensation is intensified as we progress.
Constant expectation renders us more
bold, and if we turn corner sud-
denly and find an owl staring us in
the face, or a grouse goes booming
away from our feet, we are not star
tied, but thrilled with healthy ex-
citement.
Peculiar Trees.
Almost every popularity is exhib-
tied by trees and travellers often bring
remarkable accounts of the wonders
of the vegetable world. We have
been told of Trembling Trees-the
Trembling Tree being species of ac-
cacia which puts itself in avid COM
motion" when touched, and gets in
great rage, trembling violently, when
transplanted, at the same time emit
ting nauseating odor; of Smoking
Trees, a species of mulberry which at
times emits vapor-like puffs of smoke;
of Rain Trees, which discharge show
ers of drops. There is also, according
to the description of traveller, tree
native to Queensland, Australia, which
though beautiful to the eye, is very
offensive to the sense of smell and
positively dangerous to approach
Here is an account of it's effects: A
traveller says: Sometimes while
shooting turkeys in the scrub | have
entirely forgotten the Singing Tree
till was warned of it's proximity by
it's smell, and have often found my
self in little forest of them. l was
only once stung and then very light
ly. It's effects are curious. The sting
leaves no mark but the pain is mad
dening, and for months afterward the
part when touched is tender in rainy
weather, or when it gets wet in wash
ing, etc. | have seen a man who
treats ordinary pain lightly, roll on
the ground in agony after being
stung, and l have known horse SO
completely mad after getting into a
grove of the trees that he rushed
open -mouthed at every one who ap-
preached him and had to be shot.
Dogs, when stung, will rush about
whining piteously and biting pieces
from the affected part
The Age of Trees.
Much speculation has been in
dulged in as to the length of time
during which trees of particular kinds
may live; but anything like an abso-
lutely accurate estimate is obviously
impossible. Approximation to exact
knowledge is all that can be obtained.
Such an approximation, however is
interesting, and here it is. The cedar
has been known to live 1000 years;
the cypress 800; the elm 300; the ivy
1856; the larch SIC; the lime 100; the
maple SIG; the oak 1900; the olive
800; the orange $50; the spruce 1900;
the walnut 900; and the yew 3200 1t
is not unreasonable to suppose that
some of the giants of the Yosemite
Valley are older than any of those
given, their years being almost if not
quite equal to those of the period
since the Flood according to CON mon
chronology. The existing Cedars of
Lebanon are supposed to be contem-
poraries of those cut down by Solo,
mon for the building of the Temple.
Doubtless there are trees to be seen
in every primeval forest as old as the
Christian era, and some, perhaps, that
antedate the Pyramids of Egypt.
While we look with undisguised awe
and wonder upon the ancient monu-
ments of civilization, we fail to realize
that we may almost have every day
within our view, in the shape of an
aged oak or towering pine, yet living
and vigorous witness of the far off
morning of the world.
Myths and superstitions
A vast amount of superstition and
any number of pretty myths and
legends are connected with trees.
Among the Indians of Brazil there is
a tradition that the whole human race
sprang from palm tree. There is
familiar legend about the black thorn,
species of the plum. 1t is said that
the heavenly country is peopled with
trees as well as other beautiful things.
We have it upon the authority of
Milton:
"In heaven the trees
of life ambrosial fruitage bear. and vines
Yield nectar"
Under old beliefs the elder was re-
garded as cure for erysipelas, if an
amulet made in a particular way of