>i. VII. 



J.| IK.TANY FOR KEGINNEUS. 



" It was not the fig-tree renowned for iruit." 



" Such as at this day to Indians known 



In Malabar or Decan, spreads her arms, 



Branching so broad and long, that in the ground 



The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow 



About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade 



High over-arched, and echoing walks between." 



You have here a picture of this wonderful tree, which 13 

 -aid to have given shelter to an army of several thousand meft 



Fig 25. 



Ficiis Indicus, or Banyan tree. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Buds. 



163. Most leaves and flowers proceed from scaly coverings 

 called buds. The scales cover each other closely ; the outer 

 ones being dry and hard, the inner moist and covered with down : 

 they are also furnished with a kind of resin, which prevents the 

 embryo or future plant from being injured by too much mois- 

 ture. ' Buds have been known to lie for years in water without 

 injury to the infant plant, or branch, within. 



164. The sap is the great fountain of vegetable life ; by its 

 agency, new buds are yearly formed to replace the leaves and 

 flowers destroyed by the severity of winter. 



165. The bud is usually a cone-like protuberance formed b> 



163. What do most leaves and flowers proceed from'? 



164. By what agency are new buds formed 1 



165 Where does the bud usually make its appearance? 



