313 
FIG TREE. 
exempt the parent tree from decay. Every branch 
from the main body throws out its own roots ; at 
first, in small tender fibres, several yards from the 
ground : these continually grow thicker till they 
reach the surface ; and there striking in, they in- 
crease to large trunks, and become like the original 
tree. Thus is the tree continually increasing; for 
those newly produced, in time send forth their 
fibres, and multiply in the same manner. 
It is not at all surprising that a production of such 
a singular nature as the present, should become the 
object of superstitious veneration among the Hin- 
doos ; they look upon it as an emblem of the Deity, 
and almost pay it divine honours. Near these trees 
the most esteemed pagodas are generally erected ; 
under their shade the bramins spend their lives in 
religious solitude ; and the natives of all casts and 
tribes are fond of recreating in the cool recesses, 
beautiful walks, and lovely vistas of this umbrageous 
canopy, impervious to the hottest beams of a tropi- 
cal sun. Tavernier mentions one of these trees as 
growing in his time at Surat, in the hollow trunk of 
which was the figure of a monster, representing the 
face of a deformed female, who, they tell you, was 
the first woman, and call her Mcimaniva. “ To this 
tree,” says Tavernier, “ great numbers of idolaters 
every day resort ; near to which there is some bra- 
min or other always appointed to be ready to say 
prayers, and receive the alms of rice, millet, and 
other, grains, which the charitable bestow upon 
them. The bramin marks the forehead of all, both 
