URTICALES. 



489 



of them contain an acrid poisonous principle, while some are not only 

 innoxious, but afford wholesome food. 



Artocarpus iricita, the Bread Fruit tree, a native of the Pacific Is- 

 lands, and now common in tropical countries, attains a height of from 

 six to nine metres (20 to 30 ft.). The fleshy receptacle and agglomerated 

 carpels form a mass as large as a man's head. This " fruit," when 

 gathered a little before it is ripe, and baked, looks and tastes much 

 like bread, and is largely eaten by tropical people. The Jack Fruit of 

 India (A. integnfolius) is similar, but not so palatable. 



Ficus Carica, the Fig, a native of Western or Southern Asia, has 



FIGS. 390, 91. ILLUSTRATIONS OF HORACES. 



Fig. 390. Flashy concave receptacle of Ixnstenia, bearing male and female flowers. 

 Fig. 391. Fleshy closed receptacle of Ficus, cut vertically, containing male flowers 

 above and female below. 



been cultivated for ages. It is now found in all tropical and sub-trop- 

 ical countries. It is grown in the Southern United States and in Cali- 

 fornia. The tree attains a height of from five to six metres (16 to 20 

 ft.), and bears pear-shaped closed receptacles (Fig. 391), inside of which 

 are the minute flowers. The ripened and dried receptacles constitute 

 the FigB of commerce. Our supply comes mainly from the Mediter- 

 ranean Basin. 



Gcdactodendron utile (Brosimum utUe), a tall tree, twenty-five metres 

 high (80 ft.), of Venezuela, whose milky juice is used by the natives as 

 a substitute for milk, to which it bears a close resemblance. The tree 

 >s hence called the Cow Tree. 



