XXXI V PROCEEDINGS. 



the case of the Peepul tree, a Margosa tree (Melia Azadirachia) 

 is usually chosen as its mate, or occasionally a plantain (Musa) 

 Here and there one may on roadsides see a Peepul tree and a 

 Margosa tree side by side in little mounds. This union is not 

 accidental, but a true marriage union. They are wedded by actual 

 ceremonies used for Brahmins and after a time it has been seen 

 the branches of the two trees actually intertwine and their trunks 

 are incorporated with each other. 



Ficus Bengaliensis, A^ern. "Wad." Banyan tree. A fine tree 

 possession aeria roots, smooth bark, light greenish leaves, ovate 

 and downy beneath, smooth and shining when old. Fruit, deepr 

 red in colour, size of a cherry. Common in the plains and jungles 

 and ma}^ grow to an immense size as the famous one in the 

 Nerbudda Valle}^ Central Provinces of which Arnold speaks: — 



"Its ample shade 

 Cloistered with columned drooping and roofed 

 With vaults of glistering green." 



With this tree also marriages are celebrated. A Palmyra palm may 

 be seen apparently growing out of the trunk of a Banyan, but it 

 is really the other way on, the palm being the older, the seeds of 

 the Banyan being dropped in its fronds and throwing its roots to 

 the ground. (Roxburgh). 



We now coniQ to the trees sacred to Vishnu and Siva together. 

 I have already described the Jasmine and I pass on to the others. 



Artemesia vulgaris, Vern. "Daona." Wormwood. A tall 

 strong herbaceous plant, leaves pinnated or lobbed deeply, toothed 

 and cut. Flowers in panicles, very small and florets yellowish. 

 Bract, leafy or dry. An uninteresting plaint in my opinion from 

 a purely botanical point of view. It is curious, however, to note 

 that in Old Testament history it is associated with distress and 

 calamity and possibly this association may also be seen in its 

 association with the Hindu Siva, in his terrible embodiment. It 

 is worthy of note that absinthe is made from some species of 

 Arthemesia. 



Nediiim odorum, A^ern. "Kanher." Oleander. A plant or 

 shrub rather known in European conservatories and considered to 



