STEALTHY MURDERERS 215 



among the branches, have expanded their leaves, and are 

 busy sapping the life-blood of the tree at all points. A 

 greedy intractable, implacable foe, it gives no quarter, but 

 flourishes upon its dead or dying friend, upon which in its 

 youth it leaned delicately for support. Finally it weaves 

 its slender shoots among the topmost leaves of its victim, 

 and having outgrown its growth, flourishes on its 

 decay. 



This vegetable usurper produces immense crops of small 

 purple figs, the favourite food of many birds. So bountiful 

 are its crops, and so much are they appreciated, that one 

 perceives, almost without reflection, its due and proper 

 place in the harmony of nature. To complete the cycle, 

 birds frequently, after eating the fruit, " strop " their beaks 

 on the bark of a neighbouring tree. Now and again a seed 

 thus finds favourable conditions for its germination, and 

 then the parasite sends exploring roots to the ground, 

 forming as they descend intricate lace-work, while shoots 

 repeat a similar process as they climb further up the trunk 

 and among the branches. Then the fate of the host seems 

 less cruel, for the end is speedier. 



Delicious fruit is produced by a somewhat similar fig 

 (validinervis) growing in the locality and displaying, 

 though not in such a cruel manner, parasitical tendencies. 

 Passing from green to orange with deep red spots to rich 

 purple, the fruit — about the size of an average grape — 

 indicates arrival at maturity by the exudation of a drop 

 of nectar. Clear as crystal, the nectar partially solidifies. 

 Fragrant and luscious, pendant from the polished fruit, this 

 exuberant insignia of perfection, this glittering drop of 

 vital essence, attracts birds of all degree. It is a liqueur 

 that none can resist, and which seems, so noisy and 

 demonstrative do they all become, to have a highly 

 exhilarating effect on their nerves. Birds ordinarily mute 

 are vociferous, and the rowdy ones — the varied honey-eater 

 as an example — losing all control of their tongues, call and 

 whistle in ecstasy. The best of the fig-tree's life is given 

 for the intoxication of unreflecting birds. 



