CO^niOX TKEES IX EELxVTIOX TO AEEIAL LIFE OF r>EETLES. 3t> 



(1) Ficus pilosa Eeinw. 



A large widely spreading tree, parasitic on Eni-alypts 

 bordering scrub laud. Leaves smooth, about 6 in. long. oval. 

 Fruit usually in pairs and close against twigs and l)cise of 

 leafstalks ; red with yellow spots, orange-coloured inside when 

 ripe, about f in. long, somewhat oval. 



Allied to both F. infcctoria and F. ncsophUa. The leaves 

 are larger and rather coarser ; the sessile, larger red fruit 

 easily distinguished it. In the neighl)ourhood of Gordon vale 

 it is found growing on Eucalyptus platyplnjUu. 



{2) Ficus dccois)ica»a MUi. Glossy Fig. 



A small, graceful, parasitic tree. Leaves smootli and 

 glossy, with very prominent veins, ovate, and longly 

 acuminate, up to 6 in. long by 2 in. broad, ou rather short 

 flattened leafstalks. Fruit solitary or in pairs at the base of 

 the leafstalks on very sliort stalks, globular, f in. diameter, 

 yellow. 



We are aware of only one tree, which is near ]\Ieringa : 

 the smooth leaves with their prominent veins should serve 

 to distinguish it from the other parasitic figs. 



(4) Ficus tJiijinieaua Bailey. Cairns Banyan. 



A dwarfed tree with a densely spreading head, the 

 branches more or less horizontal and emitting numerous roots. 

 Leaves short and broad, rather thick, up to 4 in. long by 

 2^ in. broad, broadly rounded at apex, on short, rathei' 

 flattened leafstalks. Fruit borne singly or in pairs, at base of 

 leafstalks, sessile, pear-shaped, the apex rather flattened, ^-f 

 in. long, yellow. 



The only specimen known to us is growing against the 

 seawall on the Cairns Esplanade, and this is the tree from 

 whii'h the original description was made. 



'(1) Ficus hcnjatnina Lliiii. AVeei)ing Fig. 



A medium-sized tree, cultivated in parks, gardens, &i-. : 

 often found wild as a parasite ou scrub trees. Foliage droop- 

 ing, of a rich green, and very dense; leaves shining, about 

 3 in. long. Fruit gloludar, flushed with red. or often l)right 

 red, about f in. diameter, on the young twigs. 



The common cultivated Weeping Fig. 



(2) Ficus platijpoda A. Cunn. Rusty Fig. 



All erect tree of rolnist gi'owth with widely spreading 

 head, on forest land, sometimes parasitic on Eucalypts. 

 Leaves on broad, flattened leafstalks, smooth, rather thick. 

 green above, whitish and rusty-looking beneath, about (i in. 

 long by 1^ in. broad, tapering to a point toward each end. 

 Fruit mostly in pairs, on the young twigs, globular, umbonate 

 at apex, less than | in. diameter, reddish yellow. 



A conspicuous tree; although sometimes parasitic this 

 species is not a true Strangle Fig. 



