British India in its relation to the decline of Hindooism, and the progress of Christianity. Containing remarks on the manners, customs, and literature of the people ... / By the Rev. William Campbell ... Illustrated with engravings on wood, by G. Baxter.

  • Campbell, William, active 1827.
Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: British India in its relation to the decline of Hindooism, and the progress of Christianity. Containing remarks on the manners, customs, and literature of the people ... / By the Rev. William Campbell ... Illustrated with engravings on wood, by G. Baxter. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Whether it be the tigers, the bears, or the elephants that range through its jungles, or the ghauts and mountains and glens which diversify its scenery, or the rivers and cataracts which pour their torrents Branching so broad and long that in the ground The bending twigs take root, and daughters grow About the mother-tree, a pillarM shade High overarched, and echoing walks between.’’ Of all trees it is the most charming of nature’s productions, and contrary to many other things in animal and vegetable life, it seems to be exempt from decay. It is continually in- creasing. The Hindoos look upon the banyan-tree as an emblem of the Deity, from its long duration, outspreading arms, and overshadowing beneficence. I have reposed under the Cubbeer Burr, which is the name of a banyan-tree in Guzerat of prodigious size. More than five regiments might be accommodated under the delightful shade of its canopy, impervious to the hottest beams of the sun. It is about 2000 feet in circumference, measured round the principal stems; the overhanging branches not yet struck down, cover a much larger space. The chief trunks of this single tree (which in size greatly exceed our English elms and oaks) amount to 350 ; the smaller stems, formed into strong supporters, are more than 3,000. It is filled with green wood-pigeons, doves, peacocks, and feathered songsters; crowded with squirrels and families of monkies, and shaded by bats of large size, many of them measuring upwards of six feet from the extremity of one wing to the other. These hang in its upper branches in a torpid state during the day. The tree affords shelter and sustenance to all its inhabitants; being covered amidst its bright foliage with small figs of rich scarlet, which are exceed- ingly pleasant to the taste. Many animals in it live upon each other, and continual warfare and stratagem are kept up be- tween birds, snakes, monkies, &c.—See Wallaces Memoirs of India.