OF FICUS UOXBUBGRII 



M 



to absolute differences in the length of inHivirln.J **. 1 ,1 , 



flowers following a n,ore -«*^1£^j{^ y ** * *«" ° f *• ~« 



A-flta*** »/M mpfafa ^ » accm 0/ ^ ^^ u eompleU ^^ n 



of J^SEST""^ were taken from a receptac,e a fe * ^ ><- - — - 



Diameter of area of ostiolar bracts in the cavity 



Depth of ostiolar plug 



Thickness of receptacular wall 



Depth of stratum of flowers 



0*" 



< 



(T62 



0*15 



The ovaries were already visibly enlarged 



The first and constant change which manifests itself is an increase in the thickness of the 

 stratum of flowers, due to increased bulk, specially of the ovaries, and a consequent decrease 

 prominence of the mass of ostiolar bracts. In some cases the colour of the stigmatic su face 

 remains for long almost or quite unaltered, but in others the tint changes from pure rose- 

 madder to more or less brownish or brick-red. There is, however, never any tendency to 

 withering or drying of the styles and stigmata, which, with the exception of the bases of the 



styles, remain persistent up to the period of full maturation and after the perianth has 

 dried up and the outer coats of the ovary and of great part of the axis of the flower hav 



undergone gelatinous degeneration. As in the case of gall-receptacles after the access of 

 insects, the increase in bulk of the ovaries is altogether out of proportion to that of the 

 surface from which the flowers arise, and space for them is obtained by their becoming 

 arranged in superimposed strata, due to unequal growth of the pedicels. As, however, the 

 increase in bulk is not merely so great as is the case with the ovaries of the gall-flowers, the 

 number of strata is not so great, only four or five being present in many cases, and six or 

 seven in exceptional ones (Plate III, fig. 4). Another feature related to the minor 

 amplification of the ovaries in female receptacles is that the receptacular wall remains smooth 

 throughout in place of acquiring increased surface by means of inequalities as that o 



gall-flower receptacles does. Just as in the case of gall-flower receptacles, the cavity 

 becomes filled by fluid shortly after the access of the insects. The fluid differs from that 

 of the other receptacles in being clear, colourless, or at utmost pale yellowish, and watery with 

 only a few suspended particles, and in having an absolutely neutral reaction and a specific 



gravity only of 1000. 



C— Characters of fully mature female receptacles to which insects have gained access 



{Plate III, figs. 4, 6 



1 



The following are measurements taken from such a receptacle 



External diameter 



2*-3 



Diameter of area of ostiolar bracts in the cavity u ' 4 ^ 



Thickness of receptacular wall . . 



Depth of stratum of flowers 



(T-24 

 0'-30 



This specimen was one of average size, and considerably larger ones occur. Their 

 dimensions, however, never approach those attained by the larger gall receptacles, the 



, MWHV.V., 



