On the Genus Ficus. 115 



the spongioles or absorbent parts of their roots become more 

 developed, and strike into the earth, and then begin the neces- 

 sary functions for increasing their diameter, and supporting 

 the weight of the new foliage above. It is not at all uncommon 

 to see the trunk of the talipot palm (Corypha umbraculif'era) , 

 or the palmyra {Borassus flabelliformis) , completely encircled 

 by one of these figs. (Fig. 2.) This is caused by the seeds, 

 which are very small, dropping into the axils of the leaves of 

 the palm, where they vegetate, and send their roots downwards, 

 embracing the trunk in their descent. In very old specimens, 

 where these aerial roots have extended to a goodly diameter, 

 the palm is seen emerging from the thickness of the fig, as if 

 it was actually one and the same plant. These combinations 

 are considered sacred by the Hindoos, who call them holy 

 marriages. A white, glutinous juice exudes from the stem, 

 which is considered a remedy in toothache; bird-lime is also 

 manufactured from it, and an infusion of the bark is said to be 

 a powerful tonic. 



A small but very good specimen of the banyan-tree may be 

 seen in the palm-house of the Eoyal Gardens, Kew, and a 

 trunk of the talipot palm, encircled as described, is in the 

 museum of the same establishment. 



The Pepul (Ficus religiosa, L.) is also a native of the East 

 Indies, and is remarkable for the long tapering points of its 

 leaves, as well as the closely reticulated and strong vascular 

 fibre. The Chinese make very pretty and effective ornaments 

 of these leaves, by removing the cellular tissue or green pulpy 

 matter, and covering the skeleton with a coat of varnish or 

 gelatine, and then painting figures of birds, flowers, etc., on 

 the surface. The ease with which the cellular tissue is re- 

 moved by macerating, recommends the leaves of this species 

 for the purpose of dissecting or skeletonising for leaf bouquets. 

 Amongst the Hindoos, the pepul-tree is greatly venerated, 

 their belief being that among the branches the goddess Vishnu 

 first saw the light. The plants are, in consequence, frequently 

 to be met with near houses, pagodas, etc., and the natives are 

 very unwilling to cut them down. Birds devour the fruit with 

 avidity ; and in their flight, instances have been known of the 

 seeds having fallen into the cracks of buildings, where they 

 have germinated, and caused much damage. They are used in 

 medicine by the native practitioners, as is also the bark. The 

 leaves of the different species vary much in form, those of the 

 pepul being heart-shaped, with the long slender point before 

 spoken of, and seated upon long and slender petioles ; they 

 have a trembling motion in the air, very similar to that of the 

 common aspen. They are a favourite food for silkworms. 



Peculiar as the two species here enumerated are, the most 



