CECROPIA, in botany, a genus of trees (family Moraceae), native of tropical America. They are of rapid growth, affording a light wood used for making floats. C. peltata is the trumpet tree, so-called from the use of its hollow stems by the Uaupe In dians as a musical instrument. It is a tree reaching about Soft. in height with a large spreading head, and deeply lobed leaves 1 tin. or more in diameter. The hollows of the stems and branches are inhabited by ants, which it has been claimed in return for the shelter thus afforded, and food in the form of succulent growths on the base of the leaf-stalks, repel the attacks of leaf-cutting ants which would otherwise strip the tree of its leaves. This is an instance of "myrmecophily," i.e., a living together for mutual benefit of the ants and the plant.