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FIRST TEAR SCIENCE 



fig. For many years attempts were made to introduce 

 this fig into California. The trees grew all right but 

 the fruit did not mature. It was then observed, that in 

 the regions where this fig was successfully grown a species 

 of wild fig was abundant and that the natives were accus- 

 tomed to hang branches 

 of the wild fig in the 

 Smyrna fig trees at the 

 time they were in flower. 

 These wild fig trees were 

 brought to California and 

 grown near the Smyrna 

 fig trees, but still figs did 

 not mature. Upon fur- 

 ther examination it was 

 observed that at the time 

 of flowering a small insect 

 issued from the wild figs 

 and visited the flowers of 

 the Smyrna figs. This 

 insect was brought to 

 California and now it is 

 possible to grow figs. 

 The flower of the Smyrna 

 fig has no stamen and it 

 is necessary for the wild 

 fig to furnish the pollen 

 which is only successfully carried to the stigmas of the 

 edible fig by the small fig-fertilizing insect. 



A somewhat similar case is that of the yucca found in 

 the dry region of southwestern United States. This 

 flower can only be fertilized by the aid of a small moth 

 which flies about at night from flower to flower. It 

 enters the flower, descends to the bottom, stings one of 



YUCCA OB SPANISH BAYONET. 



