id ™ BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Ch. VII. 
“Tt was not the fig-tree renowned for fruit,” 
‘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.” 
You have here a picture of this wonderful tree, which is 
\ said to have given shelter to an army of several thousand men. 
Piss Fig 25. 
aS 
Ficus Indicus, or Banyan tree. 
. 
CHAPTER VIIL 
Buds. 
63. Most leaves and flowers proceed from scaly coverings 
led buds. The scales cover each other closely ; the outer 
es being dry and hard, the inner moist and covered with down: 
they are also furnished with a kind of resin, which prevents the 
embryo or future plant from being injured by too much mois- 
ture. Buds have been known to lie for years in water without 
injury to the infant plant, or branch, within. 
164. The sap is the great fountain of vegetable life; by its 
agency, new buds are yearly formed to replace the leaves and 
flowers destroyed by the severity of winter. 
165. The bud is usually a cone-like protuberance formed by 
» 
163. What do most leaves and flowers proceed from? 
164. By what agency are new buds formed ? 
165 Where does the bud usually make its appearance? 
