OF THE BANYAN TREE OF INDIA. 
247 
branches a strong single root, at the height of four feet from the surface 
of the pot in which it grew, which descended and fixed itself in the 
soil at about four or five inches from the original stem, to which it has 
now a similar appearance and function. Before this aerial root reached 
the soil in the pot, it began to ramify as roots usually do in the ground, 
some of which ramifications are still on their way downwards, the whole 
plant appearing as represented at figure B. 
We have thought well to notice this habit of the tree in question not 
altogether for its singularity, because we have several plants in culti¬ 
vation which present the same phenomenon, though not with the same 
results; the branches of the May Duke cherry, growing in damp and 
shady situations, will during the summer put forth roots from their 
under surface, and which would undoubtedly reach and establish them¬ 
selves in the ground like the fig, were they not killed by the frosts of 
winter. The common cultivated fig, and very probably all the fig family, 
present or may be induced to eject roots from any of their branches. 
The grape vine is also a familiar example, as well as many of the 
orchideae. 
A practical remark may be introduced here, of which some use may 
be occasionally made : it is that all shrubs and trees having a tendency 
to produce roots from their branches, are easier of propagation by cut¬ 
tings and layers than others which have no such tendency. The Chinese 
and Italian method of propagating orange and other trees is founded on 
this property of trees. A ring of bark is taken off that part of a branch 
