554 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



rate warmth of the temperate latitudes is enjoyed. There are several exceptions to this 

 rule, created by local peculiarities, for at 10^ north of the equator, in Venezuela, fields 

 of corn blend with plantations of sugar-cane, coffee, and plantains, at no greater eleva- 

 tion than 1900 feet above the sea-level, while in the interior of the island of Cuba fine 

 harvests are raised at but a small height above the ocean. Various other kinds of grain, 

 however, flourish abundantly upon the plains, as millet, maize or Indian wheat, and rice, 

 the latter being the chief food of perhaps a third of the human race, while valuable 

 substitutes for grain are found in the bread-fruit and plantain, the cassava and manioc 

 roots of America, the taro-root and yam of Polynesia. In the central parts of the 

 torrid region, we find the plants which yield the most powerful aromatics the vanilla, 

 the cinnamon, the nutmeg, the pepper, the clove, and the camphor ; but it is especially 

 remarkable for the abundance and grandeur of its flora and timber-trees, whether growing 

 singly or in forests. In Hindustan and Cochin China, the banian or pagod-tree, Ficus 



The Banian Tree. 



Indica, exhibits that vast size and peculiar form, which rendered it the wonder of 

 the ancients, the lateral branches sending down shoots which take root in the earth, and 

 compose a grove, in process of time, out of the individual, sometimes covering an area of 

 1700 square yards. Southey, in the Curse of Kehama, has well described this object : 



" '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 propp'd 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 cross'd 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 



