56 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [ Ch. TX. 
the forest trees of our climate, to the spreading palms and ba- 
nanas of the torrid zone. As we approach the torrid zone, the 
leaves increase in magnitude ; we can however scarcely credit 
the report of travellers, who say, that the Talipot tree, in the 
island of Ceylon, produces leaves of such size, that twenty per- 
sons may be sheltered by one single leaf. Although thig ac- 
count may be exaggerated, there is no doubt of the fact, that 
the leaves of the torrid zone are of a wonderful size; and that 
whole families often dwell under the branches of these trees. 
Here we see the care of an ever kind Providence, which, in 
countries parched the greater part of the year by a vertical sun, 
has formed such refreshing shelters. : 
220. Mungo Park, in his travels in Africa, remarks upon the 
many important uses of palm leaves; serving as coverings to 
cottages, as baskets for holding fruit, and umbrellas for defence 
against rain or sun. These leaves are a good substitute for pa- 
per, and were so used by the eastern nations. Many suppose 
that the scriptures of the Old Testament were originally com- 
mitted to palm leaves. 
221. The magnitude of leaves often bears no proportion to 
the size of the plants to which they belong. The Oak, and 
other forest trees, bear leaves, which appear very diminutive 
when compared with the Cabbage, or Burdock. 
222. Leaves, with respect to duration, are, 
Caducaus, or such as fall before the end of summer; Decz- 
duous, falling at the commencement of winter; this is the 
case with most vegetables, as far as 30° or 40° north of the 
equator; Persistent, or permanent, remaining on the trees 
amidst changes of temperature, as the leaves of the Pine and 
Box; Evergreen, preserving their greenness through the year, 
as the Fir-tree and Pine, and generally all cone-bearing and re- 
sinous trees; these renew their leaves annually, but the young 
leaves appearing before the old ones decay, the plant is always 
reen. 
223. In our climate the leaves are mostly deciduous, return 
ing in autumn to their original dust, and enriching the soil 
from which they had derived their nourishment. In the re- 
gions of the torrid zone, the leaves mostly persistent and 
evergreen; they seldom fade or jedliein less time than six 
years; but these same trees, removed to our climate, some- 
220. What is said of the uses of palm leaves ? 
221. Does the size of the leaf correspond to the size of the plant? 
222. How are the leaves divided with respect to duration ? 
223. What is observed of the leaves of our climate with respect to 
duration, and what is said of the leaves of the torrid zone? 
