River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-09-26
NATURAL PAvILIoNS.
Mammoth Trees VITA Many Tranks-The
Banian Described by Nearchus.

Mammoth Trees VITA Many Trunks-The
Banian Described by Nearchus.
The bauian tree of India grows to a
| marvellous size. sometimes covering a
| circumference of five acres. and capa-
bic OF sheltering ten thousand men un-
/ der its branches. Bantam trees are
| continually increasing in size. and
| contrary to most other animal and veg
etable productions. seem 10 be exempt
ed from decay; for every branch from
the main body throws out its own
| roots, at first in small, tender fibers.
several yards from the ground, which
continually grow thicker. until. by a
| gradual descent. they reach the ground,
where. striking in. they increase to a
large trunk. and become a parent tree.
| throwing out new branches from the
| top. These in time suspend their roots.
and. receiving nourishment from the
earth. swell into new trunks.
A bantam tree. with many trunks.
| forms the most beautiful walks. vistas
and COO recesses that can be imagined.
| have spen. many delightful days.
with large parties on rural excursions.
under one tree supposed by some per-
sons TO be that described by Nearchus.
/ the Admiral of Alexander the Great
High floods have at various times swept
away a considerable part of this extra
ordinary tree; but what still remains is
nearly two thousand feet in circumfer-
| ence. measured round tho principal
stems; the overhanging branches. not
/ yet struck down. covered much larger
/ space; and under it grow q number OF
custard-apple and other fruit trees.
The large trunks OF this single tree
/ amount to three hundred and fifty, and
I the smaller ones exceed three thou
sand; each of these is constantly send
/ ing forth branches and hanging roots,
to form other trunks. and become the
I parents of future progeny.
This magnificent pavilion affords
shelter to all travellers. particularly to
the religious tribes of Hindoos. and Is
I generally filled with variety OF birds.
snakes and monkeys; the latter have
/ often diverted me with their antiC
/ tricks. especially in their paternal az
feet on for their young offspring. by
teaching them to select their food. and
to leap from bough to bough. On q
shooting party under this tree, one Of
my friends killed a female monkey,
and carried it TO his tent, which was
soon surrounded by forty or fifty of the
tribe. who. making a great noise. ad
vanced to it in menaclng posture.
On presenting his fowling-piece. they
retreated. aud appeared irresolute; but
one, who, from his age and station
in the van seemed the head of the
troop. stood his ground. chattering and
menacing in furious manner; nor
could any effort less cruel than firing
drive him of. He at length approached
the tent door. when. finding his threat
| enings were of no avail, he began q
| lamentable moaning, and, by every
token of grief and supplication. seemed
to beg the body of the deceased. On
this it was given him. With tender
sorrow he took it up in his arms. en-
braoed it with conjugal affection. and
carried it off with sort of triumph to
his expecting comrades The artless
behavior of this poor animal wrought
so powerfully on the sportsmen that
they resolved never again to level CUR
at one of the monkey race.-N. Y
Ledger.