88 THE GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



at once from a common root, bend down in 

 a semicircle to the ground, and then rise 

 again perpendicularly at various distances from 

 the first root, so that the tree resembles an 

 enormous lustre, with a number of branches 

 bearing lights. At the extremity of these 

 thick, fleshy branches, break forth the scarlet 

 flowers, which, at a distance, are like burning 

 coals. In Africa and Asia, the leafless thorny 

 euphorbias are often planted for fences, and 

 they serve most effectually to keep out in- 

 truders, injuring those who attempt to pass, not 

 only by their sharp spines, but by the poison- 

 ous juices they instil into the wounds made by 

 them. To this zone belong also many of the 

 fig tribe. 



The common fig is the produce of Ficus 

 carica, and the wholesomeness of the fruit is 

 remarkable, inasmuch as the juice of the tree 

 itself is very acrid. 22,768 cwts. of figs were 

 imported into this country in 1848, chiefly 

 from Turkey and the Levant. The fig seems 

 to have been to the natives of the east in 

 former days, what the banana is to the Indian 

 tribes of South America at this day. With 

 little trouble of cultivation, and whether fresh or 

 dried, it supplied their principal necessities, and 

 its failure was considered by the Jews a most 

 grievous calamity. " Although the fig tree 

 shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the 

 vines ; the labour of the olive shall fail, and 

 the fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall 

 be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no 



