205 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



the trees [J. Collins]. Dr. S. Kurz states, that F. laccifera (Rox- 

 burgh) from Silhet is also a caoutchouc-tree, and that both this and 

 F. elastica yield most in a ferruginous clay-soil on a rocky sub- 

 stratum ; 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 fair 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 instruc- 

 tion. To give some idea of the vastly increasing extent, to which 

 " Rubber " is now required, it may be stated, that at Wetzell's 

 factories in Miinden and Hildesheim alone during 1884 were pro- 

 duced 100,000 Ibs. of surgical articles ; 100,000 Ibs. valves, butters 

 and washers ; 150,000 Ibs. hose and belting ; 200,000 Ibs. insertion- 

 sheets and tucks-packings ; 250,000 dozens of fancy-colored balls, 

 irrespective of other rubber-articles ; this factory which exists 

 since 1868, is employing 600 workmen and operating with 

 machinery equal to 300 horse-power. Caoutchouc has been recom- 

 mended also for inner-lining of war-ships [G. A. F. Wilson]. 

 Ficus Vogelii (Miquel) yields in Liberia and Lagos a kind of 

 rubber, lauded by Messrs. Warne and Christy. The Columbian 

 Rubber- tree is Sapium biglandulosum (J. Mueller). 



Ficus infectoria, Willdenow. 



India, ascending to 5,000 feet, Probably hardy where frosts are 

 only slight, and then adapted for street-planting. Brandis and 

 Stewart found its growth quicker than that of Siris or Albizzia 

 procera. F. religiosa (Linne) ascends to the same height, and is 

 of quick growth in moist climates. It bears well the clime of 

 Beloochistan. It is one of the trees, on which the lac-insect exists. 

 The fruits of some huge Himalayan species for instance, H. 

 virgata, F. glomerata (Roxburgh) and F. Roxburghii (Wallich) 

 are edible. The curious Tikoua from Yun-Nan, introduced into 

 France by the Abbe Delavery, is a creeping species, which ripens 

 its edible fruits underground [E. Goeze]. The bark of a Ficus- 

 species is chiefly used for tanning in Quito [Rev. Prof. Sodiro.] 



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, the smallness 

 of which admits of their very easy transmission to remote places. 

 Growth in height at Port Phillip, 30 feet in 20 years, on favorable 

 soil. 



