HINDOO SUPERSTITION. 223 



wild plants. The large trunks of this single tree 

 amount to three hundred and fifty; the smaller 

 stemS;, forming into stronger supporters, exceed three 

 thousand ; and every one of them is casting out 

 smaller branches, and hanging roots, in time to 

 form trunks, and become the parents of a future pro- 

 geny. 



According to the superstition of the Hindoos, the 

 origin of cubbeer-burr is ascribed to one of their saints, 

 who, long ages ago, invoked a blessing from Brahma 

 on a small sprig of a banian-tree which he stuck into 

 the ground on this spot, and prayed that it might 

 overshadow multitudes. It is, probably, some thou- 

 sand years old, and the Hindoos behold it with pecu- 

 liar reverence. Indeed, we cannot be surprised at 

 their affection for these verdant blessings in the tor- 

 rid zone. On sacred festivals they repair under the 

 shade of cubbeer-burr, to worship their respective 

 deities, and perform their ablutions in the surround- 

 ing stream. This magnificent pavilion is filled with 

 a variety of feathered songsters, peacocks, and other 

 birds ; and crowded with whole families of monkeys, 

 whose antics are very diverting; showing their pa- 

 rental affection, by teaching their young to procure 

 their food, and exert themselves with agility in jump- 

 ing from bough to bough, and then taking more ex- 

 tensive leaps, from tree to tree ; encouraging them by 



