THE BANYAN TKEE. 125 



contrary to most other animal and vegetable productions, seem 

 to be exempted from decay ; for every branch from the main 

 body throws out its own roots, at first in small tender fibres, 

 several yards from the ground, which continually grow thicker, 

 until, by a gradual descent, they reach its surface, where, strik- 



ing in, they increase to a large trunk and become a parent-tree, 

 throwing out new branches from the top. These in time sus- 

 pend their roots, and, receiving nourishment from the earth, 

 swell into trunks and send forth other branches, thus con- 

 tinuing in a state of progression so long as the first parent of 

 them all supplies her sustenance. 



The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow 



About the mother-tree ; a pillar'd shade 



High overarch'd, and echoing walks between. 



There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, ' 



Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds 



At loopholes cut through thickest shade. 



These beautiful lines of Milton are by no means overdrawn; 

 as a banyan tree, with many trunks, forms the most beautiful 

 walks and cool recesses that can be imagined. The leaves are 

 large, soft, and of a lively green ; the fruit is a small fig (when 

 ripe of a bright scarlet), affording sustenance to monkeys, 

 squirrels, peacocks, and birds of various kinds, which dwell 

 among the branches. 



The Hindoos are peculiarly fond of this tree ; they consider 

 its long duration, its outstretching arms and overshadowing 

 beneficence, as emblems of the Deity ; they plant it near their 

 dewals or temples ; and in those villages where there is no 

 structure for public worship they place an image under a banyan, 

 and there perform a morning and evening sacrifice. 



