Banyan Tree
the ficus indica, a species of the genus ficus. It is regarded as a sacred tree by the Hindus. Its branches produce long shoots or aerial roots, which descend to the ground and penetrate the soil; so that, in course of time, a single tree becomes a vast umbrageous tent, supported by numerous columns columns.
The fruit of the banyan is of a rich scarlet color, and about the size of a cherry; it is eaten by the monkeys, which live with birds and enormous bats in the thick forest of branches. The bark is a powerful tonic. The white glutinous juice of the tree is used to relieve toothache, as an application to the soles of othed, and for making the feet when inflamed birdlime. Ficus elastica, which is also a native of India, yields an inferior kind of caoutchouc. Ficus sycamorus, the sycamore fig, is said to have yielded the wood from which mummy-cases were made.