308 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 
6. Tur Parezon Tree (IdpyBor). 
Ficus religiosa, Linn.—The Pipal, Hin. 
The parebon tree, as described by Ktesias, according to Photios,% 
was ‘‘a plant about the size of the olive, found only in the royal 
gardens, producing neither flower nor fruit, but having merely fifteen 
roots, which grow down into the earth, and are of considerable thick- 
ness, the very slenderest being as thick as one’sarm. Ifa span’s length 
of this root be taken it attracts to itself all objects brought near it 
(ravra exer Tpos EavTyv), gold, silver, and copper, and all things except 
amber. If, however, a cubit’s length of it be taken, it attracts lambs 
and birds, and it is, in fact, with this root that most kinds of birds are 
caught. Should you wish to turn water solid, even a whole gallon of 
it, you have but to throw into it but an obol’s weight of this root, and 
the thing is done. Its effect is the same upon wine, which, when con- 
densed by it, can be held in your hand like a piece of wax, though it 
melts the next day. It is found beneficial in the cure of bowel dis- 
orders.”’ 
My reasons for identifying the above with the pipal tree (ficus 
religiosa) are as follow :—Though of common occurrence in the moist 
tropical parts of India, it is seldom found except where cultivated in 
gardens and plantations in the Punjab and the arid tracts of Northern 
India generally, where, as it does not flourish, it is probably not often 
larger than a well-grown olive tree. 
Its small figs are inconspicuous, scarcely exceeding the larger 
varicties of peas in size, so that it might easily have been supposed to 
have had neither flowers nor fruit. Its roots sometimes clasp other 
trees in their embrace, and they are generally visible at the surface of 
the ground for some distance away from the trunk. There is no limit, 
however, to their number. 
Being regarded as sacred by the Hindus, offerings of various 
emblems and idols are often to be seen placed round the trunk; in some 
cases ancient stone implements and other stones of curious and gro- 
tesque shapes may be observed thus collected around it. In these facts 
I would suggest that the myth as to the attractive power of the roots, 
or, as Apollonius has it, the tree itself, for metals and stones, may very 
probably have originated. 
Its ‘‘attractive”” power for birds and other animals is very readily 
explained, since from the glutinous juice which exudes from the stem 
bird-lime is commonly made; and it may be that the ‘“ attraction”’ 
for metals, &c., merely adheres to some adhesive substance prepared 
from this juice. The effects of the fresh juice when dropped into 
water or wine might possibly be] to thicken them, but perhaps not to 
96 Keloga in Photii, Bibl. lxxii. Cf. Ancient India, by J. W. M‘Crindle, p. 20. 
