250 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



as being of immense magnitude. One near Mangee, 

 twenty miles to the westward of Patna, in Bengal, 

 spread over a diameter of 370 feet. The entire cir- 

 cumference of the shadow at noon was 1116 feet, 

 and it required 920 feet to surround the fifty or sixty 

 stems by which the tree was supported. Another 

 covered an area of 1700 square yards; and many of 

 almost equal dimensions are found in different parts 

 of India and Cochin China, where the tree grows in 

 the greatest perfection. A particular account of the 

 banian tree (sometimes called the pagod tree) is given 

 in Cordiner's ' Ceylon.' Mr. Southey has also de- 

 scribed it both in the spirit of a poet and a naturalist. 

 The plate on page 25 1 , which is copied from Mr. 

 Daniell's splendid work on l Oriental Scenery,' well 

 illustrates this description: 



" 'Twas a fair scene wherein they stood, 

 A green and sunny glade amid the wood, 

 And in the midst an aged Banian grew. 

 It was a goodly sight to see 

 That venerable tree, 

 For o'er the lawn, irregularly spread, 

 Fifty straight columns propt its lofty head ; 

 And many a long depending shoot 

 Seeking to strike its root, 

 Straight like a plummet, grew towards the ground. 



Some on the lower boughs, which crost their way, 

 Fixing their bearded fibres, round and round, 

 With many a ring and wild contortion wound ; 

 Some to the passing wind, at times, with sway 



Of gentle motion swung ; 



Others of younger growth, unmov'd were hung 

 Like stone-drops from the cavern's fretted height. 



Beneath was smooth and fair to sight, 

 Nor weeds nor briers deform 'd the natural floor ; 

 And through the leafy cope which bowered it o'er 



Came gleams of chequered light. 

 So like a temple did it seem, that there 

 A pious heart's first impulse would he prayer.*" 



* Curse of Kehama. 



