The herald., 1897-08-22
sacred a subject to allow of a proper
expert examination being made.
Perhaps the greatest marvel. though.


expert examination being made.
Perhaps the greatest marvel, though.
is that it is in reality two trees blended
as it were and welded into one, and still
more curious to relate, two trees of the
same genus but of different species.
Both have grown together and form an
indivisible common trunk of enormous
size. The distinctive features of each
species appear unmistakably in the
branches ,and reveal the very remark
able difference in the color of the foliage.
At a little distance off this presents
truly strange spectacle. The leaves Of
one are of lively and beautiful green,
while those of the other are of much
deeper shade on the upper surface and
pale on the under. The one has long
slender, dropping branches adorned
with elegant foliage, refreshing to look
upon. From it's majestic appearance
this kind used to be planted in front of
the palaces of the native rulers. Its
larger branches put forth fascicles of
roots, which, instead of descending al is
common among plants to the EARTH
have crept along the old trunk, wrapped
their strong arms around it, and ulti-
mately blended themselves with it. The
other species, less graceful perhaps in
growth, has shorter, more rugged and
lustier branches, and by these and the
color of it's leaves is readily distin-
guished from its twin relative. Below,
both became, so to say, fused into one
mass, mingling sap and fiber together
The trees both belong to the natural
family moraceae, race which has given
l. +, H. +l.o
table world; they are Of the genus ficus
On arriving at the base or entrance Of
the tree the visitor of today who has
come to inspect its wonders is met by
the priests in charge, who proceed to
perform forthwith some slight religious
ceremony at the termination of which
an invitation is given to ascend it's aged
sides, which is done by means OF the
countless lateral branches and the aid
of peasants, who are at hand to render
assistance to all who require it in the
journey aloft. On arriving at the hor-
ticultural plateau or table land at the
summit, words fail to at all adequately
describe the lovely scene which meets
the eye in all directions. 1t is literally
clothed all over with elegant flowers and
parasitic plants. Orchids in multitude
of species have crawled up many with
cred branch, and flung down gorgeous
flowers, roots and leaves in one waving
mass of fantastic fragrance and flora
elegance. Lichens scaled up the wooder
cliffs and ferns of many species grow ur
from dark hollows underneath, while
loranths suck the vital juices and scro.
phulariads cover the branches with g
veritable patchwork of many brililan
hues.
This tree, in fact, may with truth bt
termed a garden in the air, mundane
paradise. The rain of ages has washed
down into it's cavities dead leaves an(
decaying material and thus a rich in
vigorating vegetable world had beer
created, highly fitted for and giving ex
uberant nourishment to the host o.
plants which in the course of time, anC
some in most mysterious manner, hav
found their way to the unique site wher
they flourish so WELL The guardian
priests, for small monetary considera
tion, of course, allow visitors to gathe
and take away with them what flower
they choose from this enhancing par
terre of nature. Thus all may possess al
interesting souvenir of their visit.
One little flower found there is held II
particular esteem by both priests an,