IN EXTBA-TEOPICAL COUNTRIES. 131 



to produce good caoutchouc, but it is questionable whether 

 any of them would prosper in extra-tropical latitudes j neverthe- 

 less for the conservatories of Botanic Gardens all such plants 

 should be secured with a view of promoting public instruction. 



Picus Indica, Linne. 



The Banyan Tree of India, famed for its enormous expansion 

 and air roots. Although not strictly an utilitarian tree, it is 

 admitted here as one of the most shady trees, adapted for 

 warm and moist regions. At the age of 100 years one indivi- 

 dual tree will shade and occupy about one and a half acres, and 

 rest on 150 stems or more, the main stem often with a circum- 

 ference of 50 feet, the secondary stems with a diameter of 

 several feet. At Melbourne the tree suffers somewhat from 

 the night frosts. 



Ficus infectoria, WiUdenow. 



India, ascending to 5,000 feet. Probably hardy, and then 

 adapted for street planting. Brandis and Stewart found its 

 growth quicker than that of Siris or Albizzia procera. F. 

 religiosa (L.) ascends to the same height, and is in moist cli- 

 mates of quick growth. It is one of the trees on which the 

 lac insect largely exists. The fruits of some huge Himalayan 

 species — for instance, F. virgata (Roxb.), F. glomerata (Roxb.), 

 ^ F. Roxburghii (Wallich) — are edible. 



Picus macrophylla, Desfontaines.* 



The Moreton Bay Fig-Tree, which is indigenous through a 

 great part of East Australia. Perhaps the grandest of Austra- 

 lian avenue trees, and among the very best to be planted, 

 although in poor dry soil its growth is slow. In the latitude 

 of Melbourne it is quite hardy in the lowland. The foliage 

 may occasionally be injured by grasshoppers. Easily raised 

 from seed. 



Picus rubiginosa, Desfontaines. 



New South Wales. One of the most hardy of all Fig Trees, 

 and very eligible among evergreen shade trees. It is estimated 

 that the genus Ficus comprises about 600 species, many occur- 

 ring in cool mountain regions of tropical countries. The 

 number of those which would endure a temperate clime is 

 probably not small. 



Picus Sycamorus, Linng. 



The Sycamore Fig Tree of the Orient, copiously planted along 



