; these they set in rows
from the first, so that they may form porticos and colonnades; and by
cutting and pruning, they fit and prepare the tender shoots, so that
as they grow they may interlace and join together so as to form the
groundwork and floor of the temple to be constructed, and to rise at
the sides to form the walls, and above to bend into arches to form
the roof. In this manner they construct the temple with admirable art,
raised high above the ground. They also prepare an ascent into it by
successive branches of the trees, extended from the trunk and firmly
connected together. Moreover, they adorn the temple without and within
in various ways, by disposing the foliage into forms: thus they build
entire groves. But it was not permitted me to see the character of
these temples within: I was only told that the light of their sun is
let in by apertures amongst the branches, and is transmitted here
and there through crystals, by which means the light falling upon the
walls is varied in colours like those of the rainbow, especially blue
and orange, of which they are fondest. Such are their architectural
works, which they prefer to the most magnificent palaces of our Earth.

152. They said further, that the inhabitants do not dwell in high
places, but on the earth in lowly cottages, for the reason that high
places are for the Lord who is in heaven, and lowly places for men
who are on earth. Their cottages were also shown me. They were oblong,
having within along the walls a continuous couch, on which they lie
one behind another. On the side opposite to the door is a rounded
alcove, before which is a table, and behind the table a fire-place, by
which the whole chamber is lighted. In this fire-place, there is not
a burning fire, but a luminous wood, which gives out as much light as
the flame of a common fire does. They said that in the evening these
logs of wood appeared as if they had in them the fire of live coals.

153. They said that they do not live as societies, but as households
by themselves; and that they are societies when they meet for worship;
that on these occasions those who teach walk within the temple, and
the rest in the porches at the sides; and that at their meetings they
experience interior joys, arising from the sight of the temple, and
from the worship celebrated therein.

154. In respect to Divine worship, they said that they acknowledge
a God under the Human Form, consequently our Lord; for