PHANEROGAMIA 



565 



The most remarkable is the Banyan 

 (Ficws benyalensis), which occurs 

 iu the East Indies. The seeds, 

 carried by fruit-eating birds, ger- 

 minate on the branches of trees, 

 where the plant develops as an 

 epiphyte. The proper form of the 

 tree is only seen, however, after 

 the roots have reached the soil, 

 and it is no longer dependent on 

 the scanty food supply obtainable 

 in the epiphytic position. The 

 host-plant is gradually strangled, 

 additional roots are sent down to 

 the soil and thicken into pillar- 

 like supports, and ultimately a 

 small wood capable of sheltering 

 an entire village is developed from 

 the single small seedling. The 

 latex of Ficus elastica is obtained 

 from the tree by making incisions 

 in the bark, and serves as one source of india-rubber. 



FIG. 575. Ficus carica. A, Longitudinal section of 

 an inflorescence. B, Fertile flower. <', Gall-tlower. 

 D, Male flower. (B-D, enlarged ; D, after KEENER ; 

 B, C, after SOLMS-LAUBACH.) 



Castilloa clastica is another 



Flo. J>76. Hiniiiihi* Instill'*. I, Mali' inflorescence. ._', Female intlorrscnirr. .;. Twu t'rmiili- 

 flowers in tin- axil of a bract. /<, Cone-like Inflorescences in fruit. (.1 nut. size.) 



important rubber-tree of Central America. The gigantic inflorescences wlu-n in 



202 



