perpetual snows,) is the most elevated chain of mountains in Syria, and has been long famed for its magnificent cedars; they have, in all ages, been considered unrivalled for their grand and beautiful appearance; and are, also, celebrated as furnishing the wood for the erection of Solomon's temple.

Leeks (Numb. xi. 5) are plants belonging to the same genus as the onion, and are cultivated in the same manner; they grew abundantly both in Egypt and Palestine.

Legion. A full legion contained six thousand soldiers. Matt. xxvi. 53. "And he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels."

Lentiles (Gen. xxv. 34) were much esteemed in Egypt, and were dressed in the same manner as beans; making a sort of pulse, of a chocolate colour.

Leopard. (Isaiah xi. 6.) Nimrah is the Hebrew name, and signifies spotted. It is a most formi

dable, fierce, and savage animal, attacking all other animals indiscriminately, and is rarely capable of being tamed; it watches for its prey a considerable

time, and will spring to the distance of sixteen or eighteen feet. It is said to be extremely cruel to

man.

Leprosy. A disease affecting the skin, and frequently the whole mass of blood.

Leviathan is referred to in Job, Psalms, and

Isaiah; it was considered, by old commentators, to apply to the whale, but is now thought, from the general character of the crocodile, to apply to that animal.

Libertine. One who acts without restraint, and pays no regard to the precepts of religion.

Light signifies the eternal source of truth and purity, (1 John i.; James i.) God is said to dwell in light inaccessible, (1 Tim. vi. 16.) It also signifies instruction, both by doctrine and example, (Matt. v. 16; John v. 35.) For natural light, see Sun.

Lily, (Hosea xvi. 5.) A lovely flower, and greatly admired for its beauty and refreshing fragrance.

Lion. The lion is very properly considered the king of beasts, from his grave and majestic appearance; and, secondly, for the enormous strength which he possesses, and the terror which he inspires in almost all other animals. possess great generosity.

He is, also, said to This, with his proud

gait, his bold and confident appearance, and terrible roar, gives him an important position among the lower animals.

"By hunger roused, he scours the groaning plain,
Gaunt wolves and sullen tigers in his train."

In a state of freedom, he hides in the long grass; but when roused, he either rises and walks majestically away, or at once attacks his enemy; his roaring is terrific in the extreme, making the stoutest heart quail;

and the feebler animals,

when they hear it, fly in dismay, often, in their terror, falling in the way of their enemy instead of avoiding him. He is sometimes hunted by dogs, but more frequently shot or speared. When taken alive, it is by means of a pit, where he is kept till

G

quite exhausted. Accustomed to measure his strength with every animal he meets, his continual conquests render him intrepid and terrible. In those regions where he has had no experience of the powerful engines that man is able to bring against him, he boldly faces him, and seems to brave the force of arms; wounds rather provoke his rage than repress it, nor is he daunted by the opposition of numbers. A single lion attacks a whole caravan, and if, after an obstinate fight, he finds himself overpowered, instead of flying from his enemy, he continues the combat till he dies. Frequent mention is made of him in the Holy Scriptures.

Lizard. An amphibious reptile, resembling the crocodile in appearance, but only a few inches in length; they were forbidden by Moses to be eaten.

Locust. (Matt. iii. 4.) The Hebrew name signifies" to increase, or multiply," and most appropriate it is, as, in eastern countries, immense swarms sometimes overrun the whole neighbourhood. A