4 6 
A N A T UR A LIS T ON THE PROWL. 
study of it ? Of course you know the tree I mean, Ficus 
indica, the Indian Fig. 
“Not that kind for fruit renowned, 
But such as at this day, to Indians known, 
In Malabar, or Decan, spreads her arms, 
Branching so broad and long that in the ground 
The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow 
About the mother tree, a pillar’d shade, 
High over-arched and echoing walks between.” 
How Milton came to know about Malabar and the 
“ Decan ” and this wonderful tree is not so curious a 
question as it looks. Of course he had read Pliny’s 
account, for he copied his error about the bended twigs 
taking root, but he did not need to depend on Pliny. 
There were Anglo-Indians in London before Milton’s 
time, and we may be sure they were much greater lions 
than they are now. Not twenty-five miles from here, 
a few days ago, I looked on three graves, solid squares 
of masonry with a flat stone slab on each, bearing an 
inscription, rudely cut and inartistic, but still plainly 
legible. The first ran thus : — 
Here lieth the body of William Barton, Chyrurgion, dec. XXX November, 
Anno Dom. Ni. Salv. Mundi MDCXXXVIII. 
1638. 
William Barton. 
