THE BANIAN. 



167 



shoots^ and to a greater extent^ which drop in 

 turn ; and^ by this curious process^ one tree 

 becomes a very considerable grove^ or forest 

 in miniature^ affording, in the hot climate of 

 the East, a most grateful and convenient shade. 



The Strawberry/' although a lowly her- 

 baceous plant, resembles the Banian-tree in ' 

 its mode of growth, sending forth shoots or 

 side branches, which take root, and become 

 plants in a similar way." 



And I had forgotten," said Mr. Long- 

 hurst, the Black Mangrove, which grows on 

 the shores of the West-India Islands. I think, 

 however, that it in no case extends like the 

 Banian. We will conclude our account of this 

 tree with Milton's description, which, how- 

 ever, I presume, is at every tongue's end : 



Such as, at this day, to Indians known, 



In Malabar, or Deccan, spreads her arms. 



