IN JAVA. 77 



from the eruption of Krakatoa, in 1SS3, ovGr\ylielme(l its sea- 



board 



Notwithstanding the bad season, by hunting far and Avide 

 my herbarium grew slowly in bulk, for, thougli the great 

 trees were in a very destitute condition, herbaceous phints 

 were abundant, and not a few of the smaller shrubs and trees 



m to recover somewhat. Am one; the most attractive 



beg 



shrubs were the species of figs, of Avhich there was an endless 

 variety. The whole group of the Arfocarpem is remarkable 

 for beauty of foliage and fruit — as the hollow receptacle in 

 whicli their minute flowers and true fruits are developed is 

 often popularly called — for their striking habit and for their 

 useful products. Some of them, as the india-rubber producing 

 waringins and kawats species of JJrosfigma (U. mierocarpum, 

 and consociatam), are among the giants of the vegetable world, 

 and its most relentless parasites and tyrants, Brought by 

 some wandering bird or fruit-eating quadruped to the cleft of 

 a high tree, the seed germinating drops down all round its 

 host long tendril-like roots, which in a few seasons become 

 indissoluble bonds that interlace, grow together, and close up 

 the tree-stem that gave it its support, till its life is choked 

 out, and only here and there, before it finally disappears, can it 

 be seen through latticed apertures, like an Inquisition martyr 

 built into the wall. The young kawat grows, shoots upward 

 its top and 



"spreads her arms. 

 Branching so broad and long, that on the ground 

 The bended twigs take root ; and danghters grow 

 About the niother-trce, a pillared shade. ' 



Less stately bin not less beautiful arc the slirub forms, the 

 species of Hamplas {Ficus microcarpa, arnicas, and pohtoria) 

 whose rough leaves provide the natives with ready-made sand- 

 paper; the Ficus cordifoJia, the Amismata {Ficm aspera), 

 and the Kihedjo-a bushy shrub, wliose fruit, ahvays in 

 profusion along its branches, is ^vhen ripe of a rich purple 

 hue, and unripe of the brightest vermilion or carmine colour, 

 in brilliant contrast to its dark foliage ; ^vhilc the semi- 

 parasitic climbing Ficm radicans delights to cling to the 



as - c 



tallest trees of the forest. , - 



orange, is put forth throughout the whole extent of its stem m 



r 



