Fig-tree; a genus of plants, belonging to the polygamy class; 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 herdsman, shunning heat, 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 then 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 Brahmans spend their lives in religious solitude; and the natives of all casts and tribes are fond of recreating 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 Mahrattas in 1783, to. FIDEI-commissum, in Roman antiquity, an estate left in trust with any person, for the use of another. See TRUSTEE.