STRUCTURE OP FIG; BREAD-FRUIT. 497 



within a receptacle. This will be readily understood, so far as 

 the Bread-fruit is concerned, from the accompanying figures. 

 The stamineous and pistilline flowers grow in separate clusters, 

 which are of different forms ; that bearing the former is long, 

 resembling a catkin; that of the latter is more globular, its bulk 

 being principally composed of the fleshy receptacle on which the 

 flowers are seated. The flowers are so much crowded together, 

 that the perianth forms a cylindrical tube, composed of two pieces 

 only. This, in the stamineous flowers, contains but a single 

 stamen ; and, in the pistilline flowers, it envelops a one-celled 

 and one-seeded ovarium. During the ripening of the fruit, the 

 receptacle enlarges, and becomes still more fleshy and succulent ; 

 and it is this which constitutes the edible portion. The structure 

 of the Fig is extremely analogous to this; except that the 

 flowers are borne on the inside of a hollow receptacle. This would 

 not be understood upon examining the dry Fig only ; but, if the 

 unripe Fig be cut open, its structure is at once perceived. Its 

 firm fleshy exterior is the receptable, which has grown up around 

 the flowers, so as to direct them inwards towards each other, as 

 if they were growing on the inside of a basin ; this is not com- 

 pletely closed over at the top, however ; for a little aperture is 

 left there, which serves a very important purpose. The stami- 

 neous and pistilline flowers are both included in the same recep- 

 tacle ; but being so much crowded, the pollen of the former would 

 not become applied to the stigmas of the latter, without some 

 special contrivance. This is accomplished by the agency of insects, 

 which enter the cavity through the hole at the top, and disperse 

 the pollen by their movements. The seeds, which we meet with 

 in the ripe Fig, are in reality little grains or nuts ; being the 

 hardened ovaries, closely enveloping the true seed, like those of 

 the Ranunculacese. 



674. We have now briefly to notice the chief products of this 

 order, which is surpassed by very few in its importance to Man. 

 The Bread-fruit is the chief support of the natives of a large pro- 

 portion of the islands that are scattered through the Southern 

 Ocean ; it was introduced by the British Government into the 

 West Indian Islands, where it grows very well ; but is not much 



