THE NETTLE AND FIG FAMILY 115 



SUB-CLASS 3.-M0N0CHLAMYDE^ 



Plants with a single or no floral envelope (double in some 

 Euphorbiaceae). Flowers frequently unisexual. 



26. The Nettle and Fig Family 



(Urticaceae). 



Trees, shrubs or herbs. Leaves stipulate, usually alternate. Flowers 

 minute, monoecious or dioecious, often crowded on a fleshy body. Sta- 

 mens opposite to perianth segments. Ovary superior, usually one- 

 celled. 



The Banyan Tree {Ficus hengalensis). 



(Plate No. 638.) 

 (Kan. Ala. Mai. Peral. Tarn. Ala. Tel. Maricettu. San. Vatah.) 



Two peculiarities distinguish the Banyan tree: it has (a) very 

 strange roots, given off by the branches and hanging down in the 

 air, and (b) Howers that are hidden in globular receptacles, 

 generally called ligs. 



1. There is hardly any other tree which spreads its Roots 

 so wide as the Banyan tree. The Mango tree extends its roots 

 ill the ground about as far away from the trunk as the branches 

 in the air go. The Banyan tree is not content with so much, it 

 seeks its nourishment in an area which far exceeds the space 

 covered by its crown. 



The latter, too, is exceptionally large, as the branches spread 

 horizontally to a great extent. The trunk could, however, not 

 bear this load, if the long branches had no supports. It sends 

 down adventitious roots here and there which enter the ground as 

 soon as they reach it, and may become as large as, and similar 

 to, the parent trunk. These roots, it may also be noticed, slightly 

 bend away from the light towards the shaded interior part of the 

 tree, thus showing their sensitiveness to light, a quality of all 

 roots. The branching crown becomes enormously expanded, and 



8* 



