Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 207 



Ficus rubig-inosa, Desfontaines. 



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

 very eligible among evergreen shade-trees, particularly for promen- 

 ades. 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 would endure a temperate 

 clime, is probably not small. In New England, Mr. A. R. Craw- 

 ford noticed trees sending down air-roots 30 feet distant from the 

 main-stem, some nearer forming new stems, others 30 feet in height 

 descending along Angophora-stems, enclosing and suffocating them. 



Ficus Sycomorus, Linne.* 



The Sycomore-Figtree. Egypt, Abyssinia, Nubia. Copiously 

 planted along the roadsides of Egypt. The evergreen shady 

 foliage, on very spreading branches, extends to a width of 120 feet. 

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

 with Christ's time, still exists. Seven men with outstretched arms 

 could hardly encircle the stem. 



Pistulina hepatica. Fries. 



Europe and Asia, East- Australia. This large, esculent fungus 

 grows generally on old oak-stems, but does accommodate itself to 

 other habitations also. Its introduction elsewhere is worthy of 

 trial. 



Fitzroya Patagonica, .T. Hooker.* 



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

 Grows on swampy, moory places. A stately tree, sometimes to 100 

 feet high ; the diameter of the stem occasionally reaches the extra- 

 ordinary extent of 15 feet. The wood is almost reddish, easily 

 split, light, does not warp, stands exposure to the air for half a 

 century ; in Valdivia 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 

 of mountains. 



Flacourtia RamontChi, L'Heritier. (F. sapida, Eoxburgh). 



From Lower India up to Beloochistan. This and F. cataphracta 

 (Roxburgh) form thorny trees with somewhat plum-like fruits. 

 They can be adopted for hedge-copses with other species. Bears 

 at Moreton-Bay. 



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

 Another species, F. vestita (Bentham), is on record as cultivated, 

 for its small esculent tubers, in North- Western India, where it 

 ascends to the temperate region up to 7,000 feet. Both might be 

 improved by culture, F. congesta (Roxburgh) yields a dye. 



