48 CHAPTER VI. 



Ardoino does not mention it. Another species is also 

 said to occur here, viz., F. syhestris. This is probably 

 none other than the uncultivated form of F. Carica. 

 In the St. Andre Gorge, also below Gourdon, and in 

 other rocky places a wild Fig is common, and it grows 

 in precipitous spots where a bird only could have 

 placed the seed. I have not noticed the shape of the 

 fruits on these wild Fig trees. Pliny was aware that 

 minute insects pass from the Caprifig to the eatable 

 fig, and he seems to have had some idea that these 

 insect visits are connected with fertilization : so near 

 was he to the great discoveries of Sprengel and 

 Darwin. 



I have heard that meat goes bad at once if kept 

 in close proximity to a Fig tree. Carica Papaya, the 

 Papaw, commonly grown in Southern India, has a 

 similar effect on meat ; but I think that the meat 

 must be brought into actual contact with the plant. 

 I have never tested this statement about the Fig tree, 

 but Professor Penzig assures me that tough meat 

 becomes tender when wrapped in fig leaves, or when 

 cooked with a few of them. The Papaw is allied to 

 the Passion flower, not to the Fig. 



The Riviera Figs, when half dried, are considered 

 to be purgative to a dangerous degree. Strangers 

 should beware of them. When completely dried, 

 they are wholesome. 



At the roots of the Fig tree you will often find 

 growing either a clump of Iris or the huge bulbs of 

 the Giant Squill (Urginea). These remain above 

 ground : they are sometimes as large as the head of 

 a young child. I have often wondered whether the 

 Iris grows spontaneously below the Fig. Certainly 



