74 



THE WORLD OF LIFE 



find liow all these small shrubs, apparently distinct, are joined 

 together underground and form the extremities of the branches 

 of a large subterranean tree which at length unite to form a 

 single trunk. M. Eenault of Barbacena told me that he had 



Fig. 7. — Andira Laurifolia (Papilionacese). 



dug about 20 feet deep to obtain one of these trunks." The 

 large subterranean trees with a trunk hidden in the soil form 

 one of the most singular features of the flora of these campos 

 of Central Brazil. 



The above facts are from Mr. Warming's book, supplemented 

 by some details in a letter. They are certainly very remark- 

 able ; and it is difficult to understand how this mode of growth 

 has been acquired, or how the seeds get so deep into the 

 ground as to form a subterranean trunk. But perhaps the 

 cracks in the dry season explain this. 



A large part of these campos is burnt every year at the end 

 of the dry season, but as the vegetation is scanty the fires pass 



