
202 A TEXTBOOK OF GENERAL BOTANY oa 
of the meshes persist. The final appearance of these figs is 
greatly influenced by the form and height of the trees on which 

Fig. 200. An old specimen of strangling fig in which the roots 
serve as trunks 
they start. When they grow on slanting or peculiarly shaped 
trees, they sometimes assume very fantastic shapes (Fig. 200). 
Climbing plants may be attached to their supports by means 
of roots and so be supported by the roots (Fig. 179). 
i 
