Page:Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society - Volume 1.djvu/165

Dr. Norupen’s Account of the Banyan-Tree. 129 India) says this author, “ spread to an immense extent, shaded with lofty “‘ and gigantic trees. Most of the branches being, like great stems, bent “ into the ground, again rose upwards, at the place of curvature, so as to “ afford the appearance, not of a branch that had sent forth fresh shoots, “ but of a tree produced from its own root.” This description, though far from accurate, cannot be applied to any other tree, than the Banyan. It was evidently derived from a superficial observer. Nor does the account given by Strabo, to which we now proceed, although more in detail, differ much in character. Strabo was a writer of great learning, and diligent research; but he has drawn his information, in this instance, not from the best source. We can hardly suppose him to have been unacquainted with the writings of Theophrastus, and it may be wondered that, upon such a subject, he should not have had recourse to this authority. The passage alluded to is in the fifteenth book of his Geography, and to this purpose :* * Among other things, India produces also many extraordinary trees, of “ which there is one species that has branches bending downwards, and leaves not less than a shield. Onesicritus, in detailing the natural pro- “ their growth downwards, as if they were bent, till they reach the ground ; *« and having penetrated into the earth, they strike root, like layers. After ‘Ivdinn tpépel, dv Est nal To natw vevovras Exov Tovs wAcdous, Ta OS pirra aaomidos obm trattu. ‘Ommatuprros BE xxi mepiepyorepov ta ev t™m Movomavod dickidy, & Qnor voribtara Eien THs Tydiniic, Omyeira weycrn Bevdpa twat tive, av Tov; urnadous auEnSevras emt mnyers dbdina, emeta chy Anmny auenow xatapeph AauBavE, 05 cy Karaxcumrouevous, Ews av crLwvron Ths yns* oreita matic vis CradoSévrce pigove Sat, Guotws rails naripubiv, evr avaddbevras serexovobas* ef bu mam Guolos TH dvénre. norancupSevras danny natinguye Tow, elt arrny* atl ovtws Ep-bnc, Bs’ kD Evdg depo omadiov yevéc9ar maMpov, moAUSUAn ounin quo. Neyer O: nak usyétn devpov, ase mévre davpsoroig Ouomepianmra tion ree sertyn. Kara de roy “Axecivny nai thy cuorny thy mpds “Yaparw, uai “ApisoCovros EipnKe qepl tay HAT OMA TOLEVOUS Exov Twv TOUS uAaDOUG, Kat mrepl TOD psyEbous, dob O’evi Devious meoneBpiCew oxiaCoucvous taroréas meveinovtee * GuT0s Be TeTpanoolous — Amavras de umepRERanyroxt, mepl Tou meyebous ray devzav, of Onoavees Eupeeoda mépay Tov Tapiridos devdpov moi cxcay Tals weonuBeloas mevtasadiov: So this passage ought to be connected : but in the text of the editions (which, generally speaking, is very corrupt) the follow- ing sentence is interposed, between the words rerpaxosisus and*Amavras, being evidently out of its place: Aéye dz "Ag:sdGouass xal caro deveev—narprrabg Exov a5 0 mvoquos Oénce Sauriaous td nnos, mrngEls UENTOS* Tobs BE Ooryovras du pads owCecban . Vor I. S
 * ductions of Musicania, which, he says, is the most southern part of
 * « India, relates, that there are certain large trees of India, the branches of which grow to the length of twelve cubits, then take the remainder of
 * Lib. XV. p. 694. ed. Casaub. (p. 1016. ed. Almelov.) Toaax yep On -nal BevYpa mapadsta h