204 POPULAR GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



the association, is one of the many distinguished connections 

 of the Nettle family) ; these forests are characterized by 

 " imperviousness and gloom, and the density and height of 

 the trees ; the damp, close atmosphere within ; the enormous 

 thickness and irregular shape of the wide-spread branches ; 

 the uncommonly rapid growth, and the soft, often spongy 

 substance of the trunk ; the great variety of parasitical and 

 climbing plants which are supported on the trees ; the deep, 

 porous, damp parent soil; the numbers of apes which leap 

 screaming amidst the boughs, and the numerous choir of 

 various birds." Climbing Pepper-plants hang about the 

 trees, and amongst the parasitical plants which beautify the 

 forest we again recognize some of the Pothos tribe ; amongst 

 the many foreign names of plants which compose the brush- 

 wood, we only meet with one familiar one in the Nightshade 

 (Solamm) . 



On the lower plains of India out eyes are refreshed by 

 a green carpet, not of Grass exactly, though the effect on 

 the landscape is the same, but of Sedges (Cyperacea) ; on 

 the margins of streams too the green turf is generally formed 

 by these; and even "beautiful lawns" of it are mentioned 

 by Meyen as " one of the most charming objects in nature" 

 when surrounded by elegant Bamboo-trees, " which, in tro- 



