ae SD OMAN Y. TRO 
three diftiné Plants. This Order contains 
two Genera, viz. Ficus ¢, and Ceratonia. 
+ Tounderftand this Order, the GngularManner of 
the Fructification muft be explained. The Fruit of the 
Ficus is not a Pericarpium, but a Receptacle, the interior 
Sides of which fupport the Flowers, which by this 
Means are inclofed within it. Thefe Flowers in the 
culuvated Fig-trees are female only, but there is a Sort 
known by the Name of Caprificus, that has male Flowers, 
and another again called Arinofyce, which is androgynous, 
having both male and female Flowers diftin@, though 
lodged within the fame Recepracle. Here then we have 
the Trisecious Polygamy explained ; and if the Deicrip- 
tions of de da Hire may be trufted, there are Figs that 
contain Hermaphrodite Flowers ; which give us evena 
fourth Habitation for the Sexes. ‘hus much fuflices to 
explain the Order ; but there is an Objeétion narurally 
arifing from hence to the Do@trine of the Sexes; the 
fobviating which, will furnifh the Opportunity of a ne- 
ceflary Remark. It will be afked, How it happens that 
the Fruit of our Fig-trees ripen, if the Plants areof one 
Sex only, and have no Affiftance from the Male? The 
Anfwer is this; the Fruit is in all Cafes to be difiin- 
guifhed from the Seed contained within it: If the Male 
be wanting, the Seed will not vegetate when fown, but 
the Fruit may neverthelefs fwell, and come to an Ap- 
earance of Perfection ; and fo it is obferved to do in 
the Inftance in Queltion, and in many others, efpecially 
where the Fruit is formed of one of the Parts lefscon- 
nected with the Seed ; as Calyx, Receptacle, &c. though 
itis more common for it to drop off before it ripens, if 
got impregnated by the Male, : 
L 3 CHAP, 
