THE PAGODA TREE 251 



rubber like stalks, glossy pointed leaves, and 

 tufts of creamy flowers. Frangipanni, one hears 

 it called sometimes, though I do not know why. 

 No garden is complete in India without its 

 champak tree, and the mali will plant one, should 

 you neglect to do so, and ignore such an excellent 

 omen. But be careful where he plants it, for 

 the champaka is far too holy ever to be cut down. 

 The images of Buddha are carved from the wood 

 of its branches ; and its little blossoms are still 

 strung together to form festival garlands — those 

 necklaces which look so quaint and sit so strangely 

 on the black frock-coat of Anglo-Indian official- 

 dom, and yet, despite their wearers' self-conscious 

 faces, add such a touch of Eastern charm and 

 dignity to the simplest ceremonial. Holy days 

 and festivals are all graced by champak flowers ; 

 arrivals or leave-takings are marked by the 

 presentation of these sweet-scented wreaths. 

 Great scenes and stirring moments fade in spite 

 of all our will to keep them fresh ; while pleasant 

 things, unnoticed from their very monotony, 

 sink deep into the mind ; — ^the white blaze of 

 the sunlight, the sweet crooning whistle of the 

 Indian kites, and the scent of the champak 

 wreaths. 



