40 AUSTRALIAN SUGAR-CANE BEETLES AND THEIR ALLIES. 



(1) Ficus elastica Roxb. Rubber-tree. 



A very large, spreading tree, cultivated, one of those 

 yielding the rubber of commerce. Leaves leathery, dark green 

 above, rusty red beneath, broadly oval in outline, 3-9 in. long ; 

 terminal shoots enclosed in large, red, conspicuous bracts. 



Occurring only in parks, gardens, &c. 



(4) Ficus magnifolia F.v.^I. Red-leaved Fig. 



A bush or small tree in or on edge of scrubs. Leaves 

 broad, slightly scabrous, tapering to a point, usually about 

 6 in. but sometimes 1^- ft. long, the young foliage reddish tn 

 bright red. Fruit mostly in pairs, on the old wood or i)revious 

 year's growth, sometimes on the young growth, or in clusters 

 at the base of the plant, pear -shaped, |-f in. diameter, dull 

 yellowish or reddish. 



Very plentiful on scrub land ; conspicuous on account of 

 the colour of the new growth. 

 (4) Ficus cascaria F.v.M. Ribbed Fig. 



A small tree in or on edges of scrubs. Leaves smooth, 

 shining, pale beneath, 3-5 in. long. l|-2^ in. broad. Fruit 

 on the young growth, single or in pairs, pear-shaped, ^ in. 

 diameter with six longitudinal raised ribs outside, very hollow 

 inside. 



A connnon tree around Babinda ; the rather pale foliage 

 and ribbed fruit wdll serve to distinguish it. 



(2) Ficus opposiia ^liq. Rough-leaved Fig. 



A tall shrub or small tree, common on forest land. Leaves 

 very variable in size and shape, usually 2-3 in. long, more or 

 less oval, rough above, hairy beneath. Fruit solitary or in 

 pairs, nearly globular when ripe, dull reddish, about ^ in. 

 diameter. 



A very common tree on forest land. It never attains 

 large size or height. The rough or scabrous foliage is a 

 distinguishing factor. 



(4) Ficus hispida Linn. Hairy Fig. 



A shrub or small tree on scrub land, the young twigs 

 hollow and pipe-like. Leaves l)roadly oblong or almost oval, 

 mostly 6-10 in. long, variable in size and shape, rough above, 

 soft beneath. Fruit either in i)airs or more often in leatiess 

 clusters on older wood, round or somewhat top-shaped, ^-1 in. 

 diameter, whitish or yellowish, more or less hairy. 



Plentiful in scrub areas ; the large rough leavt^s and 

 clustered fruit are conspicuous characters. 



(1) Ficus glomcrafa AVilld. Cluster Fig. 



A tall erect tree bordering creeks and scrub land. Leaves 

 ovate, smooth. 3-5 in. long. Fruit in clusters on the principal 

 stems, globular, 1-1^ in. diameter, red or i)inkish when ripe. 



The common Cluster Fig, well known in most districts. 



(1) Ficus ehrctoidcs F.v.M. Light-barked Fig. 



A tall erect tree, growing in scrubs, and attaining a 

 height of 60 ft. Leaves smooth, broadly ovate, 6-10 in. long: 



