Saw-flies, Gall-flies, Ichneumons, 



of the caprifig from which she came, and thus fertilizes them. This process 

 is called caprification* Without it no Smyrna fig has its flowers fertilized 

 and its seeds "set." It is the development of the seeds with the accom- 

 panying swelling of the fleshy receptacle and the storing of sugar in it that 

 makes the Smyrna fig so pleasant to the palate. The trees may grow large 

 and bear quantities of fruit, but if the figs (really the fig-flowers) are not 



FIG. 690. Figs on a branch; the two lower ones are mammae, winter figs, from which 

 Blastophaga are about to issue ; the others are profichi, spring figs, ready to receive the 

 Blastophaga. (After Howard; natural size.) 



caprified, the size, sweetness, and nutty flavor of the perfect fruit are lacking. 

 To insure caprification, branches laden with caprifigs containing Blastopha- 

 gas just about to issue are suspended artificially among the branches of the 



* For an account of the important role played by insects in the fertilization of flowers 

 see Chapter XVI. 





