Nature^ Longevity ^ and Size of Trees, 7 



planted before the Conquest, i. e.^ more than 800 years ago. 

 And there are yew trees much older still; e.g., some at 

 Fountain's Abbey, near Eipon, in Yorkshire, are believed to 

 be more than 1200 years old; two in the churchyard of Crow- 

 hurst in Surrey, 1450 years ; one at Fortingall in Perthshire, 

 from 2500 to 2600 years ; one in Brabourn churchyard in 

 Kent, is said to have attained the age of 3000 years ; and an- 

 other at Hedsor in Bucks, which is still in full vigour, and 

 measures above 27 feet in diameter, appears to be upwards 

 of 3200 years old.* But, perhaps, the most remarkable 

 species of tree, in respect of size and longevity, is the Banian 

 of the East, — the Ficus indica. Every branch from the main 

 or primary trunk throws out its own roots at first in small 

 tender fibres, and several yards from the ground, but which, 

 growing thicker, and reaching the surface, strike at length 

 into the soil. These gradually increase till they form large 

 and distinct trunks, and in their turn send out new branches 

 from the top, which, in time, suspend their roots, and become 

 trunks also. The tree thus continues to progress and extend 

 itself indefinitely. An individual of this species, growing in 

 an island in the river Nerbudda, is believed to be identical 

 with one that existed in the time of Alexander the Great, 

 and which, according to Nearchus, was even then capable of 

 overshadowing 10,000 men. It is not now, indeed, so large 

 as formerly, parts of it having been carried away by floods. 

 What remains of it, however, affords ample room for 7000 

 persons to repose under its shade, and has a circumference 

 of 2000 feet, measuring only round the principal stems. The 

 overhanging branches cover a much larger space. The chief 

 trunks of this single tree greatly exceed our English oaks and 

 elms in thickness, and are above 350 in number ; while the 

 smaller stems are more than 3000, and every one of them is 

 becoming thicker, and sending out new branches and hanging 

 roots. 



Such statements, however, as these, in regard to the Ba- 

 nian, the yew, Sec, or those given by Richard, convey to us 



* Dr Dickie, in Quarterly Journal of Agriculture for March 1843; Church 

 of England Magazine, vol. xxi., p. 192. 



