266 FIBRES 



(palmyra), Broussonetia, Camelina, Cannabis (hemp), Carludovica, 

 Caryota (kitul), Chlorogalum, Cocos (coconut, coir), Copernicia, 

 Corchorus (jute), (Jordyline, Couratari, Crotalaria (Sunn-hemp), Cy- 

 perus, Debregeasia. Eryngium (caraguata), Furcraea (Mauritius hemp), 

 Hibiscus, Jubaea, l,aportea, Lardizabala, Leopoldinia (piassaba), 

 Liiuim (flax), Lygeum, Maoutia, Marsdenia, Maurilia, Musa (Manila 

 hemp), Pandanus, Phormium (NewZealandflax), Raphia(raffia), Sabal, 

 Sansevieria (bowstring hemp), Spartium, Stipa (esparto), Tillandsia, 

 Villebrunea, Yucca, &c. The chief surface fibres (on seeds, &c.) are 

 Bombax, Calotropis, Chorisia, Cochlospermum, Eriodendron (kapok), 

 Gossypium (cotton). Special or peculiar cases are Antiaris, Broussonetia, 

 Lageita.Luffa, &c. See Dodge, Useful Fiber Plants, Washington, 1897. 



Fibrillose, with fibres. 



Fibrocentrum Pierre. Sapotaceae (inc. seel.), i Brazil. 



Fibrous root, one in tufts of uniform length, as in grasses. 



FJ.calb.oa Hiern. Ericaceae (n). i trop. Afr. 



Ficaria (Dill.) Hall = Ranunculus L. p.p. (Ranunc.). 



Ficinia Schrad. Cyperaceae (i). 50 S. and trop. Afr. 



Ficoidales (BH.}. The i4th cohort of Polypetalae. 



Ficoideae (BH.) = Aizoaceae. 



Ficus Tourn. ex L. Moraceae (n). 700 trop., chiefly E. Ind. and 

 Polynes., &c. Trees and shrubs of the most various habit. In 

 general alt. entire 1. with slips, which envelope the bud (acting as a 

 protection to it against heat, &c.) and soon after their unfolding drop 

 off. Adv. roots are very common. 



F. elastica Roxb. (indiarubber tree) grows as a stout independent 

 tree, usu. commencing epiphytically, and often reaching a great size. 

 At its base are developed buttress-roots, radiating out in all directions; 

 their depth is often several feet, while their thickness is only a few 

 inches. From the branches are given off adv. roots which grow 

 downwards and enter the soil. These grow in thickness and form 

 great pillars supporting the branches. The 1. are entire, and leathery, 

 with a glossy surface. The slips, protecl the bud. Rubber is obtained 

 by tapping (cf. Hevea). 



F. indica L. and F. benghalensis L. (banyan) show similar habit. 

 The aerial roots form supporting pillars, and by their means the tree 

 may reach immense size. (The banyan is sacred in India; the young 

 roots are provided with tubes of bamboo to protect them, and the 

 ground is prepared for them.) See plate in Nat. Pfi. of ihe famous 

 Iree al Calculla. 



F. religiosa L. (Peepul or Bo-lree) is similar, bul ils 1. have 

 a long acuminale apex, combined with an easily welted surface. 

 From the apex (drip-tip] the rain drips off rapidly after a shower and 

 the 1. is soon dry. In very wet trop. forests this property is of some 

 importance. 



F. Sycomorusl^. (sycomore or mulberry fig) N. Afr. and F. Carica 

 L. (fig) Eur. , Medit., are also erect trees. 



F. repens Rottl. is a small climbing sp. which takes hold of its 

 support by aerial roots (as in ivy) ; these secrete a gummy substance 

 conlaining caoutchouc, and then absorb the fluid constituents, leaving 

 the caoutchouc as a cement, fastening the roots to their support 



