CURIOUS TREES 177 



that many of these ancient giants are more wonder- 

 ful than the palaces and temples reared by proud 

 kings ! On the Point de Galle Road in Ceylon is a 

 beautiful banyan which has thrown an arch over 

 the highway. There is a young but lusty specimen 

 growing on the grounds of the Army Post at Key 

 .West, Florida. It is said to be the only one in the 

 United States. One can hardly blame the Hindus 

 for attaching religious significance to these most 

 remarkable trees. 



A tree of tendencies similar to the banyan is the 

 ceiba or silk cotton. This also lets down aerial roots 

 which grow into the ground and become buttresses 

 for its immense branches. A ceiba of unusual size is 

 the one near the Government House at Nassau in 

 the Bahamas. 



On the Greek island of Cos is a giant plane tree 

 which has become so old and ponderous that it has 

 become necessary for public-spirited citizens to 

 support its branches with marble columns. It oc- 

 cupies a prominent place in the public square and 

 the people almost worship it. 



For many years, people all over the world talked 

 about the Dragon Tree of Teneriffe (Draccena 

 Draco ) . It was a member of the lily family and 

 was considered a wonder of vegetation. Its leaves 

 waved in the breezes seventy-five feet above the 



