CHAP. X.] ARTOCARPiE. 173 



parent trunk, so that one tree soon becomes like 

 a small forest ; the Indian-rubber tree (F. 

 elastica)^ the milky juice of which hardens into 

 Caoutchouc, though this substance is also pro- 

 duced by other trees, particularly by the Bra- 

 zilian tree Siplionia elastica ; and the Pippul 

 tree (F. religiosd). The leaves of this last tree 

 are used in India for feeding silkworms, and it 

 is said that this is one cause of the strong and 

 wiry nature of the Indian silk ; and the insect 

 {Coccus Jicus) feeds upon it and F. elastica^ 

 which produces the substance called lac, of 

 which seaHng-wax is made. This species takes 

 its specific name of religiosa^ from the legend 

 that the Hindoo god Vishnoo was born under 

 its branches. 



