26 Gardening in Egypt. 



F. rubiginosa. This variety has smaller leaves 

 than the Banyan, but it also has a tendency to send 

 out bunches of aerial roots from the upper branches, 

 though very much smaller than the former. It grows 

 into a dense compact tree. 



F. Benjamina. A graceful drooping variety, with 

 small glossy leaves, which gives it an excellent 

 appearance as a specimen for a lawn. It grows well 

 in Alexandria, but is not often planted. 



F. retusa, var. nitida. Also a handsome small - 

 leaved variety. It is commoner than the former, and 

 can either be trained on lattice work as a climber or 

 grown in the form of a tree. 



F. religiosa. A sacred tree in India. It is a 

 diciduous species, having hanging cordate leaves with 

 a long tapering apex like a poplar. 



F. Sycomorus The Sycamore Tree Gaimmayze. 



This tree produces its fruit on the trunk and thick 

 branches. It often serves for avenue purposes, on 

 account of its spreading habit and the shade it gives. 

 The fruit is eaten by the Arabs, and the coffins of 

 the ancient Egyptians are said to have been made 

 from its wood. The tree is a native of Egypt and is 

 identical with the Sycamore of Scripture. 



F. infectoria. A West Indian variety, is used in 

 Cairo as an avenue tree. It is remarkable for its leaves, 

 which, turning yellow, fall, and new ones appear in the 

 space of a week or so. 



F. japonica. The real name of which is yet undeter- 

 mined ; is also used as an avenue tree. It has leaves 

 like the Mango, and is usually pruned annually into a 

 bushy head. Many other species of a more or less 

 ornamental value, such as F. Gibbosa, F. parisitica^ 

 P. Parcelii) &c., are also frequently met with, but space 

 will only admit of mention being made of the chief. 



Jacaranda mimosifoli. A native of tropical South 

 America. This tree, with its masses of blue flowers, 



