IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 141 



call forth a new local industry. This tree has grown in Assam to 1 1 2 

 feet with 100 aerial roots in thirty-two years (Markham). The im- 

 port of all kinds of caoutchouc into GreatBritain during 187 4 amounted 

 to 129,168 cwt., worth 1,326,605. Markham and Collins pro- 

 nounce the caoutchouc of F. elastica not quite so valuable as that of 

 the Heveas and Castilloas of South America. Heat and atmos- 

 pheric moisture greatly promote the growth of F. elastica. Like 

 most other Fig-trees it is easily raised from seed. A tree of F. elastica 

 is tapped in Assam when twenty-five years old. After fifty years 

 the yield is about 40 Ibs. of caoutchouc every third year (Markham 

 and Collins). Mr. S. Kurz states that F. laccifera (Roxburgh), from 

 Silhet is also a caoutchouc Fig-tree, and that both this and F. 

 elastica yield most in a ferruginous clay-soil on a rocky substratum ; 

 further, that both can bear dryness, but like shade in youth. 

 Several other species of tropical Figs, American as well as Asiatic, 

 are known to produce good caoutchouc, but it is questionable 

 whether any of them would prosper in extra-tropical latitudes \ 

 nevertheless for the conservatories of Botanic Gardens all such plants 

 should be secured with a view of promoting public instruction. 



Ficus Indica, Linne 



The Banyan-tree of India, famed for its enormous expansion and 

 air-roots. Although not strictly an utilitarian tree, it is admitted 

 here as one of the most shady trees, adapted for warm and moist 

 regions. At the age of 100 years one individual tree will shade 

 and occupy abcut one and a half acre, and rest on 150 stems or 

 more, the main stems often with a circumference of 50 feet, the 

 secondary stems with a diameter of several feet. At Melbourne 

 the tree suffers somewhat from the night-frosts. 



Ficus infectoria, Willdenow. 



India, ascending to 5,000 feet. Probably hardy, and then adapted 

 for street planting. Brandis and Stewart found its growth quicker 

 than that of Siris or Albizzia procera. F. religiosa (L.) ascends to 

 the same height, and is in moist climates of quick growth. It is 

 one of the trees on which the lac insect largely exists. The fruits 

 of some huge Himalayan species for instance, F. virgata (Roxb.), 

 F. glomerata (Roxb.), F. Roxburghii (Wallich) are edible. 



Ficus macrophylla, Desfontaines.* 



The Moreton Bay Fig-tree, which is indigenous through a great 

 part of East Australia. Perhaps the grandest of Australian 

 avenue trees, and among the very best to be planted, although in 

 poor dry soil its growth is slow. In the latitude of Melbourne it 

 is quite hardy in the lowland. The foliage may occasionally be 

 injured by grasshoppers. Easily raised from seed. 



