Chap. IV] TROPICAL DISTRICTS CONSTANTLY MOIST 339 



toughness of tlie bark. This opinion is supported by the fact that in ch)' 

 districts, where the bark is considerably developed and is rich in fibres, 

 cauliflory is very rare. 



vii. SAPROPHYTES AND PARASITES IN THE RAIN-FOREST. 

 If Alfred Moller's observations in South Brazil be generally applicable, 

 saproph\-tic fungi appear to be even more abundantly developed in the 



Fig. 1 S3. Ficiis sp. 'Minahassae.' Cauliflorous. Botanic garden at Buitenzorg. From 

 a photograph by Treub. 



umus of the tropical rain-forest than in the forests of Central Europe. 

 Never,' says MoUer, ' docs the action of the fungus kingdom, which stands 

 itermediate between the animal and vegetable kingdoms, strike us so 

 jrcibly as here in the tropical forest, where the persistent humidity and 

 eat constantly bring out the growth of fungi to a degree that is attained 

 ith us [in Central Europe] only exceptionally, after warm rain>' da\-s '.' 



' Ml. MoUer. I, p. 3. 

 Z 2 



