144 FOREST LIFE AND SPORT IN INDIA 
foundation of a forest, for in a few days the sand and 
silt it arrests springs into life from the seeds that 
are thrown up by the stream, and that germinate so 
soon as they come to rest. In this way the “shisham” 
and the “khair” forests appear, and at once con- 
solidate their vantage-ground with roots interlaced 
to stoutly resist the removal of the soil; while any 
additions to the solid earth are accepted with joy, 
and added to by the débris from the superabundant 
vegetable growth. The trees erect dams with their 
discarded branches, and hold up the silt of the en- 
croaching waters while permitting the off-flow of 
the surplus floods. Then, in a surprisingly short 
time the island is above flood-level ; it has become a 
forest of gregarious species that in due course bring 
forth fruit, not to rear their progeny at their feet, 
but to follow the practice of their forefathers, and 
engage busily in the formation of new colonies far 
below. 
Next, as age advances and the serried ranks thin 
out, there arrive other species, sown by the tem- 
pestuous winds of the monsoon or carried by birds. 
Soft-wooded trees, such as the fig, the cotton, and 
others, all come to take the place of the passing 
generation ; the new population in turn covers the 
soil with shady boughs, and enriches it with its fall- 
ing leaves, till over the boulders and the sand there 
is a layer of porous and fertile vegetable mould 
suitable for the growth of the more exacting hard- 
woods. These, eager too for extension of their 
territory, send their seeds in whirling showers— 
sometimes, such is their vitality, with germination 
already commenced ere they reach the soil; or other 
