* The trees.
This is the most ancient fable or apologue extant; and is
extremely beautiful, apposite, and intelligible.
2Ki 14:9 Eze 17:3-10 Da 4:10-18
* olive tree.
The {zayith,} or olive tree, in the Linnean system, is a genus
of the {diandra monogynia} class of plants. It is of a
moderate height, and grows best in sunny places. Its trunk is
knotty; bark smooth, of an ash colour: wood solid and
yellowish; leaves oblong, almost like those of the willow, of
a dark green colour on the upper side, and whitish below. In
June it puts forth white flowers, growing in bunches, each of
one piece, widening towards the top, and dividing into four
parts. After this succeeds the fruit, which is oblong and
plump; first green, then pale, and when quite ripe, black.
Within it is enclosed a hard stone, filled with oblong seeds.
It was the most useful of all trees in the forest; as the
bramble was the meanest and most worthless.
* Reign.
8:22,23
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