564 



BOTANY 



the genus Ficus deserves special mention. The species occurring farthest north 

 is the Common Fig (Ficus carica, Fig. 575), which is endemic to the Mediterranean 

 region, and has been long cultivated. It is a low tree with palmately incised 

 leaves and stipules, which form a cap-like protection to the bud. The inflorescences 

 are hollow, pitcher-shaped structures with a narrow opening. The flowers are 



Km. ~>74. Uhnits ntmpestris (5 nat. size). /, Branch with MI>WCI>. .'. Branch with fruits. 

 ^Sin^le flower, enlarged.?: 



borne closely crowded together on the inner surface. The flat, disc-shaped in- 

 florescences of Dorstenm which bear the flowers on the upper surface, are in many 

 respects corresponding structures ( 17 ). The pollination of the Fig is effected by a 

 species of wasp, which lays its eggs in the short-styled female flowers or gall- 

 flowers. The sweet, fleshy portion of the edible Fig is developed from the hollowed 

 axis of the inflorescence together with the perigones of the individual flowers. 

 The small, hard, seed-like bodies are the fruits developed from the ovaries of the 

 small flowers. Some species of Ficus are among the largest trees of tropical forests. 



