192 BLUEFIELDS. 



but subordinate roots proceed from one to another, 

 anastomosing in all directions (if I may use such a 

 term), so as to make a most elaborate network of a 

 multitude of meshes of various angular forms and 

 sizes. These cross-roots are at each extremity united 

 with the larger roots, and look as if the whole net- 

 work had been skilfully carved out of one solid plank 

 of wood, by cutting out the areas or meshes, and 

 rounding the component bars ; the very bark that 

 covers the whole is continuous, where the roots unite, 

 as if they had been always integrally one. 



The only mode in which I can account for this 

 singular phenomenon is the following hypothesis. The 

 seed of the tree was originally deposited on the sum- 

 mit of the wall, beneath the eaves. As it germinated, 

 the roots ran down towards the earth, some per- 

 pendicularly, some diagonally ; but all creeping along 

 the surface of the wall, no roots having shot out from 

 its perpendicular. As these roots increased, they 

 sent out side rootlets, which, still running on the face 

 of the wall, by and by came in contact with another 

 of the primary roots. Then, instead of creeping over 

 it, as the roots of other trees would have done, the 

 soft tip of the rootlet actually united with the sub- 

 stance of the root at the point of contact, the fibres 

 of the two becoming interlaced, and their united sur- 

 faces gradually becoming covered with a common 

 bark. The repetition of this process has produced 

 the very curious wooden net which I have attempted 

 to describe. 



The tendency of the roots of the Fig to envelope 

 closely any surfaces that they meet with, produces 



