THE AMAZONIAN FOREST. 
massaranduba, stem and crown together, cannot be less than 180 to 200 
feet : where it stands, its vast hernispliere of dark-green foliage towers 
above the surrounding forest-growth like the swelling dome of St. 
Paul's above the spires and towers of London. 
A noticeable feature in these giant trees is the array of buttress- 
shaped projections around the lower jwt of the trunk. Their purpose 
is as obvious as that of the buttresses with which the medieval archi- 
tects supported and strengthened their lofty cathedral towers. They 
are the roots of the tree, and have raised themselves ridge-like out of 
the earth ; growing gradually upwards as the increasing height of the 
tree rendered necessary increased support. It is plain, therefore, that 
they are designed to sustain the huge crown and massive trunk in the 
crowded forests, where room is not to be found for a sufficient extension 
of the roots laterally. 
As in the West Indian forest, the trees are woven about and linked 
together with a wonderful web of snake-like vines, which creep up the 
long branches, and spring from bough to bough ; or hang suspended in 
mid-air ; or have found their way to the ground again, and taken root, and 
thrown out their young arms to cling to the nearest support. Others 
there are which derive all their nourishment from the tree or the air. 
Their numbers can hardly be counted ; their forms are as numerous as 
they are graceful ; now resembling grasses, now lilies ; now drooping in 
festoons, now gathering into coils. A dozen kinds will sometimes fasten 
on a single tree ; and when, towards the end of the rains, they break 
into blossom, and garland the mossy trunk with flowers of every hue, 
it is easy to imagine how exquisite must be their appearance. At such 
a time the forest scene may well remind the traveller of an earthl}' 
paradise : — 
" A happy rural seat of various view; 
Groves whose rich trees weep odorous g-iims and balm ; 
Others, whose fruit, burnished with golden rind, 
Hang amiable, and of delicious taste 
Flowers of all hue 
The birds their quire apply; airs, — vernal airs, 
Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 
The trembling leaves, while universal Pan, 
Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance, 
Lead on the eternal spring." 
