BOOK XII. X. 2I-XII. 24 



We will now describe the trees that aroused the 

 wonder ol" the victorious expedition of Alexander 

 the Great when that part of the world was first 

 revealed. 



XI. The Indian fig-tree " bears exceptionally fine The indian 

 fruit, and it is self-propagating, as it spreads its ^" "2"'"- 

 branches to an enormous width and the bottom ones 



bend down to the earth so heavily that in a year's 

 time they take root, and produce for themselves a 

 fresh offspring planted in a circle round the parent 

 tree hke the work of an ornamental gardener. In- 

 side this bower the shepherds dwell in summer, as it 

 is at once shaded and protected by the fence of the 

 tree — a very attractive sight when looked at from 

 below or from a distance, with its vaulted dome. Its 

 higher branches, however, shoot upward to a great 

 height from the main bulk of the mother tree, 

 forming an extensive grove, so as in many cases to 

 enclose a circle sixty yards across, while they cover 

 with their shade a space of a quarter of a mile. The 

 broad leaves have the shape of an Amazon's shield; 

 consequently they cover over the fruit and prevent 

 it from growing, and it is scanty and not larger in 

 size than a bean ; but as it is ripened by the rays of 

 the sun shining through the fohage it has an extremely 

 sweet tastc, and is worthy of the marvellous tree that 

 produces it. This fig grows mostly in the neighbour- 

 hood of the river Chenaub, 



XII. There is another fig the fruit of which is larger ^^* banana. 

 and superior in flavour ; the sages of India live on it. 



The leaf of this tree resembles birds' wings, and 

 is a yard and a half long and a yard broad. The 

 fruit grows out of the bark, and is remarkable for the 

 sweetness of its juice ; one bunch is enough for four 



