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fhe contributions that each individual had to make to the general stock. 

 The Athenians considered this fruit to be of such great importance to 

 the welfare of the community that they prohibited its export. This 

 decree, however, was not generally popular, and was so frequently 

 evaded that it became necessary to employ officials specially to detect 

 breaches of the law. These officers were called Sukophanti (meaning, 

 literally, discoverers of Figs), which in time became a term of 

 reproach. From this name the English word sycophant is said to be 

 derived. According to ancient historians, the Fig was always carried 

 immediately after the Grape vine in the processions in honor of Bacchus, 

 the god of wine. This deity was supposed to derive his vigour and 

 corpulence from eating Figs as well as drinking wine. Saturn, one of 

 the ancient deities, who was supposed to have introduced agriculture into 

 the Roman states, was always represented with a crown of Figs. 

 Cleopatra, the most luxurious of queens, is said to have had the asp, 

 which deprived her of life, introduced in a basket of Figs. Among the 

 Romans the opinion prevailed that plants had their sympathies and 

 antipathies, and, according to Pliny, they were in the habit of planting 

 rue near their Fig trees. This practice, he informs us, caused the fruit 

 to be sweeter, while at the same time the rue would grow with more 

 than ordinary luxuriance and have a more intensely bitter taste' 



Great medicinal virtues were attributed to the Fig by ancient nations. 

 According to Pliny, among the Romans the fruit was considered to be 

 the best restorative food for persons recovering from sickness, and he 

 tells us that u Figs increase the strength of young people and preserve 

 elderly ones in good health, making them look younger and preventing 

 wrinkles." He further informs us that "Figs were considered to give 

 corpulency and strength, and that it was usual with the athletes in the 

 public games to eat large quantities." This writer also tells us that in 

 his time no less than twenty-nine distinct varieties of Figs were known 

 and cultivated by the Romans. In modern medicine the fruit is 

 considered to be demulcent and laxative. When quite ripe the fruit 

 becomes highly flavoured, and is very wholesome and digestible when 

 eaten in moderate quantities. If it is eaten too freely, or if the fruit is 

 not thoroughly ripe, some people are apt to suffer from flatulence or 

 diarrhoea. Sometimes the fruit is eaten to remove habitual costiveness ; 

 and, when split and roasted, Figs are often used as poultices for ulcers. 



The Fig is said to have been introduced to England in the beginning of 

 the sixteenth century, during the reign of Henry VIII. Probably, however, 

 it was introduced at a much earlier date by the Romans, when they invaded 

 the country. Being more tender than many other fruits, and requiring 

 protection in cultivation, it never became popular with the bulk of the 

 people in any part of the United Kingdom. In fact, according to the 

 old writers, this fruit appears to have been held in great contempt in 

 England, and this is how such expressions as " Not worth a Fig," and 

 " A Fig for such rubbish," had their origin. These expressions are used 

 up to the present time, and are frequently heard. It is said to have 

 been the custom of the Italians and Spaniards of the middle ages to give 

 poisoned Figs to those upon whom they wished to have revenge, and 



