244 THE CRIMSON TOPAZ. 



apple-tree, and it shoots forth from one of the 

 thick branches of the mora, near to the top. 



When the figs are ripe, they yield a rich harvest 

 to the birds. Crowds of birds flock round them ; 

 and to this very circumstance the fig-tree owed its 

 existence. 



A bird dropped the seed of the fig-tree on the 

 branch of the mora. It had been feasting on 

 some neighbouring figs, and had perched on the 

 mora to digest its banquet. 



Up to this time the mora was flourishing in all 

 its luxuriance. But the seed dropped by the bird 

 sent out its rootlets into the branches, and began 

 to draw nourishment from the sap. 



The sap caused it to grow with vigour, and 

 mount upwards. But when it became a fig-tree 

 yielding fruit, it also, though a parasite, became 

 the abode of other parasites. The birds, as they 

 flocked to it, dropped seeds that began to grow 

 upon its branches, as its own seed had grown upon 

 the mora-tree. Thus parasite after parasite took 

 hold on each other, and all were maintained by 

 the sap and juices of the mora ! 



