fig-tree: A genus of plants, belonging to the polygamia clas; and in the natural method ranking under the 53d order, Scabridae. See Botany Index.

The ficus religiosa, or Banian tree, is a native of several parts of the East Indies. It has a woody stem, branching to a great height and vast extent, with heart-shaped entire leaves ending in acute points. Of this tree the following lines of Milton contain a description equally beautiful and just:

There soon they chose The fig tree; not that tree for fruit renown'd, But 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 overarch'd, and echoing walks between: There oft' the Indian herdman, thumping heart, Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds At loop-holes cut through thickest shade.

Par. Lost, Book ix. l. 1100.

The Banian tree, or Indian fig, is perhaps the most beautiful of Nature's productions in that genial climate, where she sports with the greatest profusion and variety. Some of these trees are of amazing size and great extent, as they are continually increasing, and, contrary to most other things in animal and vegetable life, they seem to be exempted 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 until they reach the surface; and there striking in, they increase to large trunks, and become parent trees, shooting out new branches from the top; these in time suspend their roots, which, swelling into trunks, produce other branches; thus continuing in a state of progression as long as the earth, the first parent of them all, contributes her sustenance. The Hindoos are particularly fond of the Banian tree; they look upon it as an emblem of the Deity, from its long duration, its outstretching arms, and overshadowing beneficence; they almost pay it divine honours, and

Find a fane in every sacred grove.

Near these trees the most esteemed pagodas are generally erected; under their shade the Brahmins spend their lives in religious solitude; and the natives of all castes and tribes are fond of reclining in the cool recesses, beautiful walks, and lovely vistas of this unbraggious canopy, impervious to the hottest beams of a tropical sun.

A remarkable large tree of this kind grows on an island in the river Nerbudda, ten miles from the city of Baroche in the province of Guzerat; a flourishing settlement lately in possession of the East India Company, but ceded by the government of Bengal, at the treaty of peace concluded with the Mahattas in 1783, to Mahadajee Scindia a Mahratta chief. It is distinguished by the name of Cubbeer Burr, which was given it in honour of a famous saint. It was once much larger than at present; but high floods have carried away the banks of the island where it grows, and with them such parts of the tree as had thus far extended their roots: yet what remains is about 2000 feet in circumference, measured round the principal stems; the overhanging branches, not yet struck down, cover a much larger space. The chief trunks of this single tree (which in size greatly exceed our English elms and oaks), amount to 350; the smaller stems, forming into stronger supporters, are more than 3000; and every one of these is calling out new branches, and hanging roots, in time to form trunks, and become the parents of a future progeny. Cubbeer Burr is famed throughout Hindostan for its great extent and surpassing beauty: the Indian armies generally encamp around it; and, at stated seasons, solemn jatarras, or Hindu festivals, are held there, to which thousands of votaries repair from various parts of the Mogul empire.—It is said that 7000 persons find ample room to repose under its shade. The English gentlemen, on their hunting and shooting parties, used to form extensive encampments, and spend weeks together under this delightful pavilion, which is generally filled with green wood pigeons, doves, peacocks, and a variety of feathered songsters; crowded with families of monkeys performing their antics tricks; and shaded by bays of a large size, many of them measuring upwards of six feet from the extremity of one wing to the other. This tree not only affords shelter, but sustenance, to all its inhabitants, being covered amid its bright foliage with small figs of a rich scarlet, on which they all regale with as much delight, as the lords of creation on their more costly fare in their parties.