8. Ficus.] 125. MORAGEAC. 



geminate, depressed-globose glabrous, black when ripe, •4--6" diam., 

 sessile. 



In all districts, Avild and cultivated, epiphytic on old masoniy or on other trees. 

 Fr. r.s. Nearlj- deciduous in the h.s. in the dryer districts. 



Stems often' very irregular, peculiarly pitted when old. All parts except 

 bracts qiiite glabrous. Leaf 5-7-nerved at base, sec. n. 8-10 (excluding the fine 

 acumen), looi^ed within but very close to margin, acumen many-ner^-ed rarely- 

 only one-fourth length of whole leaf ; stipules l'75-3' long, linear subulate. 

 Recept-bracts broad rounded, cilate or pubescent, •15-*23" long, sometimes one 

 2-lobed, hooded over the very young i-ecept which thus appears pubescent. 



Branches much lopped for fodder and tiie fruit sometimes eaten. 



-^ovY-.— WalUch's 4^87 Il.B.C. is partly F. Eumphii (on right of sheet) with 

 unusuall.y long acumen. 



13. F. bengalensis, L. Ba : i, Ho. ; Bare, 31., S. ; Barh, Bargat, 



H. ; Bor, Beng. ; The Banyan Tree. 



A large tree, epiphytic when young, sending down roots from the 

 branches which form into accessory trunks. Leaves coriaceous, 

 4-8" long or attaining 10" by 7-5" in robust specimens, ovate to elliptic 

 with rovinded or sub-cordate 3-5-nerved base, old glabrous or slightly 

 pubescent beneath. Recepts sessile in pairs '5— 75" diam., subglobose 

 scarlet when ripe, puberulous. 



Throughout the whole province. Wild in the more humid forests, elsewhere 

 often planted. Recepts may be found all the year round, but appear to ripen 

 twice in the year, viz. April-June and Dec. -Feb, Nearly evergreen or quite so in 

 favourable situations, renews leaves May- June. 



Bark grey, blaze pale red, fibrous. New shoots pubescent. Leaves approximate 

 near the ends of the branchlets, young softly pubescent and often reddish, sec. n. 

 above basal 5-8, looping close to margin and united by numerous close tertiarie» 

 and reticulate nervules which are not raised. Petiole •75-l*7" long eglandular or 

 mostly mth a large, flat, smooth gland beneath near the confluence of the principle 

 nerves. Stipules •7.5-1" long before falling (leaving a circular scar as in all other 

 figs of our province). Recepts with 2-i, more or less connate, broad, obtuse 

 bracts at the base. 



Probably the best shade tree in the province. The timber is not of much value 

 but is sometimes used for sai/ar wheels in Chota Nagpur and for well curbs. 

 Birdlime is prepared from the latex. Useful for elephant fodder. The fruit is 

 eaten in times of scarcity-. The tree is easily propagated in the rains by inserting 

 large cuttings (several inches in circumference,). Seedlings grown b.y me were 

 much attacked by a leaf fungus [Septorin arf»«f«),* which caused the fall of the 

 young tender leaves and sometimes proves fatal. 



14, F. tomentosa, Roxb. Janapa-hesa, K. ; Chapakia-bare, 8. ; 



Barun, Kharic. 

 A large or small tree with tomentose or woolly branchlets and 

 frequently with thin aerial roots. Leaves very variable in size, 

 2-8-5", easily recognised by the more or less persistent tomentum 

 and prominent venation beneath, by the cordate base and a curious 

 longitudinal gland with depressed centre (when fresh) situated at the 

 junction of the several principal nerves beneath. Recepts hirsutely 

 white- or grey-tomentose •25--5" diam, globose sessile. 



Rarely epiphytic on trees but generally on dry rocks, often on the most arid 

 bills, sometimes on old buildings, as on the Palamau Fort ! Shahabad, Kymur 

 Hills. Throughout Chota Nagpur ! Santal Par. ! Puri ! Sambalpur ! Recepts 

 appear in the axils of the new leaves in June and remain over a year, the old ones 

 being at the leaf scars. Evergreen, renews leaves in June. 



* Kindly identified by Miss Wakefield. 



834 



