Dr. Noehsen's Account of the Banyan-Tree. 123 



" production of the roots, which are emitted from the branches ; or, per- 

 " haps, the nourishment being divided between the roots and the branches, 

 " the fruit is, for this reason, weaker and smaller." 



Such is the description which Theophastrus gives of the Banyan. It is full 

 and detailed, clear and accurate. In commenting upon it, I shall advert to 

 such parts as differ from modern accounts, or otherwise require explanation. 

 The author uses a cautious mode of expression, when speaking of particulars, 

 which might easily be liable to exaggeration. Thus, where the extent is 

 mentioned, to which the shadow of the tree reaches, he employs the phrase, 

 they say, or, it is said : " It is said that the tree throws its shade over a 

 circumference of two stadia." A stadium may be reckoned at six hundred 

 English feet ; the shade of the tree, therefore, is said to cover about twelve 

 hundred feet, in circumference. If we compare this statement with modern 

 accounts, for instance, that given by Mr. Marsden, in his History of Su- 

 matra,* we shall hardly think it magnified. That gentleman, in speaking 

 of the Banyan-tree at Mangee, in Bengal, computes the circumference of 

 its shadow, at noon, at eleven hundred and sixteen feet, between which, and 

 the measure of two stadia, rated by us at twelve hundred feet, there is no 

 great difference. Mr. Marsden gives the diameter of the stem of the tree 

 at iMangee, three hundred and sixty-three to three hundred and seventy-five 

 feet : Theophrastus estimates the thickness t of the stem, by which likewise 

 the diameter must be understood, at sixty paces, or scarcely one hundred 

 and eighty feet, in some trees, and at forty paces, or under one hundred 

 and twenty, in the generality. If there is an exaggeration as to this point, 

 I should suspect it to be in the modern account.^ Theophrastus probably 



* Third edition, p. 163. 



t To Tax"? Toi/ TtfSxovi • 



X There may perhaps Iiave been some inaccuracy in the calculations with which Mr. Marsden 

 was furnished :| for it does not appear that he measured the tree alluded to himself. I find it 

 difficult to reconcile some of the dimensions, as they are given. In the text, Mr. Marsden ex- 

 presses himself thus : " It (the Banyan-tree) possesses the uncommon property of dropping 

 " roots or fibres from certain parts of its boughs, which, when they touch the earth, become 

 " new stems, and go on increasing to such an extent, that some have measured, in circum- 

 " ference of the branches, upwards of a thousand feet, and have been said to afford shelter to a 

 " troop of horse." To that passage a note is subjoined to this effect : " The following is an 

 " account of the dimensions of a remarkable banian or bur-tree, near Mangee, twenty miles west 

 " of Patna, in Bengal: Diameter, three hundred and sixty-three to three hundred and seventy- 



R 2 " five 



