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endeavoured to hide his nakedness. Cakes of Figs were included
in the presents of provisions by which the wife of Nabal appeased
the wrath of David (i Sam. xxv., i8). The want of blossom on
the Fig-tree was considered as one of the most grievous calamities
by the Jew s; for, growing as it did in Palestine on the Vine, the
tree became with the Israelites an emblem of peace and plenty, and
that security which, in ancient times, was thought to be enjoyed by
“ every man under his own Fig-tree.” Near the city of On, there
was shown for many centuries the sacred Fig-tree under which the
Holy Family rested during the flight into Egypt. St. Augustine
tells us, in his Confessions, that while still unconverted and in deep
communion with his friend Alypius on the subjedt of the Scriptures,
the contest within his mind was so sharp, that he hastened from
the presence of his friend and threw himself down beneath a Fig-
tree, weeping and lamenting. Then he heard what seemed the
voice of a child proceeding apparently from the tree, repeating
again and again "Tolle, lege,” (Take and read); and returning to
his friend, he took up the sacred volume, and opened it at St.
Paul’s words: “ Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.” He was struck
with the coincidence ; and considering it a Divine call, he then and
there resolved to take up the religious profession. In India, the
Fig-tree is greatly esteemed; one species. Ficus glomerata, is held
sacred by the Hindus; and the Ficus Indica, or Banyan-tree, is one
of the most highly venerated trees on the earth (see B a n y a n ) .--------
The Andalusians have a saying, “ On this life depends,” in connection
with the Fig-tree, the fruit of which they eat, fasting, in the morning.
The Germans have a proverb, “ Figs will not grow either on
Brambles or Thistles.” Another proverb tells us that “ He who
has Figs has riches.” In Sicily, the Fig-tree is looked upon as
a tree of ill-omen. It is there thought to be the tree on which Judas
hung himself, and never to have thrived well since that occurrance.
There is an old superstition that in each leaf of a Fig-tree lurks an
evil spirit; and certain blood-thirsty spectres, called Fauni Ficarii,
are mentioned in legends. At Avola, it is popularly believed to
be unwise to sleep beneath the shade of a Fig-tree during the
warmth of Summer ; should, however, anyone be foolhardy enough
to do so, there will appear before him the figure of a nun, holding
a knife in her hand, who will compel him to say whether he wil,
take it by the blade or by the handle; if he answer, by the blade,
he will be forthwith slain ; but should he sele(5t the handle, he will
have all manner of good fortune in store for him. In Palermo,
they deck the Fig-tree with branches of the wild F ig woven into
garlands, in order to ensure the fruit ripening.—^—A Fig-tree has
something to do in the way of preventing hydrophobia, if we may
believe the following ancient English superstition:—“ For tear of
mad hound, take the worms which be under a mad hound’s tongue,
snip them away, lead them round about a Fig-tree, give them to
him who hath been ren t; he will soon be healed.” To dream of
Figs implies an accession of wealth, prosperity, and happiness,
the realisation of wishes, and a happy old age.
F I L B E R T .—John Gower, in his Confessio Amantis, suggests
that the origin of the word Filbert is to be sought in the metamorphosis
of the Thracian princess Phyllis into a Nut-tree, or, more
precisely, into the Almond ; this view is strengthened by the fadt
that the old English names for both tree and nut was Fylberde,
or Filberd ; although another explanation of this word is that the
tree was so called after a King Philibert. In olden times the dis-
tindlion drawn between nuts of a good and those of the best
quality, was by terming the former the short-bearded, and the
latter the long-bearded, or full-bearded—whence, according to a
popular belief, by corruption. Filbert. Authorities in dream lore
tell us that to dream of Filberts is a happy augury, a sign of good
health and happy old age. It also denotes success in love, and
happiness in the married state, with a numerous family, who will
marry well, and occupy a high place in society. Filbert-trees
are held to be under the dominion of Mercury.
F I R .—The ancient Egyptians adopted the Fir-cone as the
symbol of their goddess Isis. The F ir is the Fire-tree, the most
inflammable of woods. Gerarde writes of Firs in Cheshire, Staffordshire,
and Lancashire, “ where they grew in great plenty, as is
reputed, before Noah’s floud; but then being overturned and overwhelmed,
have lien since in the woods and waterie moorish grounds,
very fresh and sound, untill this day; and so full of a resinous
substance, that they burne like a torch or linke, and the inhabitants
of those countries do call it Fir-wood and Fire-wood unto this
day.” In the traditions of northern countries, the F ir occupies
a similar position to the Pine. He is king of the forest; and so, in
Switzerland and the Tyrol, the Geni of the Forest is always represented
with an uprooted Fir-tree in his hand. This Geni dwells
by preference in the Fir, and especially loves old trees. When
one of these trees is cut down, the Geni grieves, and pleads for
its life. Old Firs, like old Oaks and Birches, are especially respected
when standing solitary. De Gubernatis relates an
anecdote of a colossal Fir-tree which grew by itself, at Tarssok, in
Russia. This tree had withstood several lightning-blasts, and
was supposed to be several hundred years old, as shown by
its barkless trunk and its bare branches. At last, in a gale of wind,
it fell; but so great a respecfl had the country-people for the old
tree, that they would not make any profit from the sale of the huge
trunk, but presented the proceeds to the Church. In Denmark,
Sweden, Russia, and Germany, they use the F ir as the Christmastree,
and this custom has now taken firm root in England. -
Just as in many parts of Germany, on Christmas-night, they beat
trees, so that they may bear fruit, so at Hildesheim in Hanover,
at Shrove-tide, the peasantry solicit gifts from the women, whipping
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