CHAPTER XXI 

 THE FIG (MoracecB) 



THE Ficus carica, or common fig, is but one of more than 

 a hundred species of a most interesting fruit which 

 from the earliest of ancient times has, in its varying forms, 

 been accorded not only a place of importance but honour 

 and reverence. Biblical records mention the fig as clothing, 

 food, and medicine, and, regarding the first, were foliage 

 available for modern costumes the fig tree would be en- 

 hanced in value because of the infinite variety of its leaf- 

 patterns; two leaves, even on the same tree, seldom being 

 found exactly alike. 



The Egyptian Sycamore (F. sycamorus) which is sup- 

 posed to be the sycamore of the Scriptures, the Banyan 

 (F. Indica), the India Rubber tree {F. elastica), or "Caout- 

 chouc," and the renowned Peepul Tree of India (F. religiosa: 

 the Bo Tree of Ceylon) are aniong the many species of the 

 fig, and the oldest tree in the world is a Ceylon Bo Tree 

 whose age is estimated by historical records to be over 

 two thousand years. The Hindus venerate the Sacred Fig 

 because Vishnu is said to have been bom under it and the 

 Buddhists because under one of them they believe " Gotama 

 Buddha reclined at Uruwelaya when he underwent his 

 apotheosis." Colder countries are not strangers to the fig 

 for it is cultivated many degrees north of the frost line in 

 both Europe and America though, as in France and 

 England, winter-protection is a necessity. 



Either green or dried figs are excellent food and as a 

 whole the fryit has no superior in healthfulness. Its large 



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