142 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Ficus rubiginosa, Desfontaines. 



New South Wales. One of the most hardy of all Fig-trees, and 

 very eligible among evergreen shade-trees. It is estimated that the 

 genus Ficus comprises about 600 species, many occurring in cool 

 mountain regions of tropical countries. The number of those 

 which wonld endure a temperate clime is probably not small. 



Ficus Sycamorus, Linne. 



The Sycamore Fig-tree of the Orient, copiously planted along the 

 roadsides of Egypt. The shady crown extends to a width of 120 

 feet. Attains an enormous age. A tree at Cairo, which legends 

 connect with Christ, still exists. Seven men with outstretched 

 arms could hardly encircle the stem. 



Fitzroya Patagonica, J. Hooker.* 



Chili, as far south as Chiloe. The Alerce of the Chilians. Grows 

 on swampy, moory places. A stately tree, 100 feet high. The 

 diameter of the stem reaches sometimes the extraordinary extent of 

 15 feet. The wood is almost always red, easily split, light, does 

 not warp, stands exposure to the air for half a century, and in 

 Yaldivia and Chiloe almost all buildings are roofed with shingles of 

 this tree (Dr. Philippi). The outer bark produces a strong fibre, 

 used for calking ships. Like Libocedrus tetragona, this tree 

 should be extensively planted in unutilised swampy moors in the 

 mountains. 



Flacourtia Ramontchi, 1'Heritier. (F. sapida, Roxburgh.) 



India up to Beloochistan. This and F. cataphracta (Roxb.) form 

 thorny trees with somewhat plum-like fruits. With other species 

 they can be adopted for hedge-copses. 



Flemingia tuberosa, Dalzell. 



Western India. The tubers of this herb are said to be edible. 

 Another species, F. vestita, is on record as cultivated in North- 

 western India for its small esculent tubers. 



Flindersia Australis, R. Brown. 



New South Wales and Queensland. With Araucaria Cunning- 

 hami and Ficus Camerana, the tallest of all the jungle-trees of 

 its locality, attaining 150 feet. Bark scaly, stem with a diameter 

 to 8 feet. Timber of extraordinary hardness (Ch. Moore). A 

 noble tree for avenues. Rate of growth, according to Mr. Fawcett, 

 about 25 feet in eight years. 



