Page:Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society - Volume 1.djvu/159

Dr. Nozuven’s Account of the Banyan-Tree. 123 "production of the roots, which are emitted from the branches; or, per-
 * «< haps, the nourishment being divided between the roots and the branches,
 * the fruit is, for this reason, weaker and smaller.’’

Such is the description which Theophastrus gives of the Banyan. It is full and detailed, clear and accurate. In commenting upon it, I shall advert to such parts as differ from modern accounts, or otherwise require explanation. The author uses a cautious mode of expression, when speaking of particulars, which might easily be liable to exaggeration. Thus, where the extent is mentioned, to which the shadow of the tree reaches, he employs the phrase, they say, or, it is said: “ It is said that the tree throws its shade over a circumference of two stadia.’ A stadium may be reckoned at six hundred English feet ; the shade of the tree, therefore, is said to cover about twelve hundred feet, in circumference. If we compare this statement with modern accounts, for instance, that given by Mr. Marsden, in his History of Su- matra,* we shall hardly think it magnified. That gentleman, in speaking of the Banyan-tree at Mangee, in Bengal, computes the circumference of its shadow, at noon, at eleven hundred and sixteen feet, between which, and the measure of two stadia, rated by us at twelve hundred feet, there is no great difference. Mr. Marsden gives the diameter of the stem of the tree at Mangee, three hundred and sixty-three to three hundred and seventy-five feet: Theophrastus estimates the thickness t+ of the stem, by which likewise the diameter must be understood, at sixty paces, or scarcely one hundred and eighty feet, in some trees, and at forty paces, or under one hundred and twenty, in the generality. If there is an exaggeration as to this point, I should suspect it to be in the modern account. Theophrastus probably + To maxos tod seréxous. { There may perhaps have been some inaccuracy in the calculations with which Mr. Marsden was furnished :' for it does not appear that he measured the tree alluded'to himself. I find it difficult to reconcile some of the dimensions, as they are given. In the text, Mr. Marsden ex- presses himself thus: ‘‘ It (the Banyan-tree) possesses the uncommon property of dropping “ roots or fibres from certain parts of its boughs, which, when they touch the earth, become “© new stems, and go on increasing to such an extent, that some have measured, in circum- « ference of the branches, upwards of a thousand feet, and have been said to afford shelter to a “ troop of horse.” To that passage a note is subjoined to this effect: « The following is an “* account of the dimensions of a remarkable banian or bur-tree, near Mangee, twenty miles west of Patna, in Bengal: Diameter, three hundred and sixty-three to three hundred and seventy- R 2 « five = “e
 * Third edition, p. 163.