582 MYRMECOPHILOUS PLANTS 



formed by the small lamina. These pitchers usually contain water, in 

 which flies and other insects are drowned. 



Utricularia, several species. Bladderwort. (Lentibttlariaceae). Water or bog 

 plants without roots, found in swamps of most countries. The leaves 

 are furnished with small bladders, which have a trap-door entrance and 

 capture small crustacean and other animals. 



MYRMECOPHILOUS PLANTS 



[i.e., plants with special cavities or other adaptations for 

 attracting and protecting ants for mutual benefit.] 



Acacia Hindsii. ( Lcgmuiiiosae ). Indigenous to Trop. Central America. 



The hollow formidable spines are generally inhabited by ants. 

 Acacia sphaerocephala. (Legirniiiwsat). Bull's Horn Acacia. Similar to above. 

 Cecropia peltata. (Urticaceac). Trumpet Tree. Hollow stems often inhabited 



by ants, also used by Natives for musical instruments. 

 Coccoloba, several species. (Polygouaccac). S. America and the West Indies' 



Hollow stems usually occupied by ants. 



Cuviera, several species. W. Trop. Africa. Hollow swellings on stems. 

 Duroia hirsuta. S. America. Hollow stems, with entrances into which colonies 



of ants gain admission. 

 Humboldtia laurifolia. (Legit niinosae). A shrub indigenous to Ceylon and 



S. India, with hollow internodes generally inhabited by ants. 

 Hydnophytum montanum, and other spp. (Rttbiaceae) Epiphytic plants, native of 



Malaya, etc. remarkable for their swollen woody base, which is hollow 



and provides a home for ants. 

 Muehlenbeckia platyclada. (Polygon-accae). A scrambling shrub or climber, 



with hollow internodes indigenous to the Solomon Islands. 

 Myrmecodia Beccari and other spp. (Rnbiaccac). Epiphytic plants, indigenous to 



Malaya, with a hollow tuberous base. 



Triplaris surinamensis. (Poly 'gon : accac\ A tree of Surinam, with large hollow 

 stems which harbour ants. 



SACRED TREES OF INDIA, CEYLON, ETC. 



The worship of certain plants or trees, supposed to possess 

 supernatural qualities, was at one time practised in many parts of 

 the world, and the custom has still survived among certain races 

 in tropical countries. This is more especially the case in India, 

 where numerous trees or plants are held more or less sacred or 

 in high esteem for temple offerings. The following are some of 

 the principal species thus employed : 



Ficus religiosa. Bo-tree; Peepul ; Aswatha, S. (Urticaceae). The most sacred 

 tree of India and Ceylon, being venerated by Hindus, Buddhists and 

 other races. Devout Buddhists will not injure the smallest seedling or 

 branch of this tree. The specimen at Anuradhapura, Ceylon, is probably 

 the oldest historical tree in the world, having been brought from India 

 in B. C. 288. 



