The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c7.10

c7.10

I may add that Amara places parasitical plants among the *Latâs* (वन्दा वृक्षादनी। वृक्षरुहा। जीवन्तिकेत्यपि). They climb trees and feed upon them. These are to be distinguished from climbing plants, like the *Guḍuchî* (Tinospora cordifolia), which have separate roots of their own. They are also to be distinguished from the adventitious roots descending from the branches of trees, like the Ficus religiosa, which are usually termed *avarohâs* (अवरोहाः). The name *śiphâ* is ordinarily applied to the rootlets and suckers by which the tendrils of various creepers are attached to the soil. (शाखाशिफा अवरोहः स्यात्। वटादेः शाखायाः अवलम्बिनी शिफा। मूलाच्चायं गता लता। मूलादूर्ध्वं गता लता स्यात्—Amara with Bhânuji Dîkṣita's commentary. But the Mukuta notes:—तरुमूलात् प्रभृति वृक्षाग्रपर्य्यन्तंगता गुडुच्यादि लताप्यप अवरोहः।) The *Guḍuchî* is also called वत्साडनी, छिन्नरुहा।