TFIE FIG. 



malh' results in the formation of seeds necessar\' for 

 tlie preser\'ation of tlie species, tliis Fig -would have to 

 disappear. Thus a certain number of Blastophagac arc 

 constanth- sacrificed for the advantage of the whole 

 species - one of the man^• instances showing how little 

 regard Nature has for the life of the incli\'idual. The 

 duration of its existence is subordinate to the common 

 interest of the species. 



hi plants long cultis'ated the continued interference 

 of man has not unfrequenth" displaced the original con- 

 trivances that served for the preservation of tlie species. 

 This is so with several varieties of our Fig-trees. Alan 

 has in these cases undertal^en the propagation of these 

 plants which are useful to him ; he maintains them hv 

 grafting and cuttings so that the formation of seeds 

 has become altogether superlhious. This is the reason 

 wh\- most of the varieties of F]g cultivated in Itah\ 

 and also on the I'rench T^iviera, no longer require 

 caprilication. Their iufrnctescence ripens withont pollin- 

 ation and conse(.|uenth' the^' produce no germinating 

 seeds. The Greek and Turkish lig. and especialh- those 

 of Snnrna, are (,)uite different in habit. These are 

 pollinated b\- Blastophagae and their fruits contain 

 seeds from which new plants can be raised. It is not 

 without good reason, therefore, that in Asia Minor 

 Capriligs are hung among the boughs of the cultivated 

 Fig-trees; for the wasps which escape from these are 

 necessary. In figs, like those of Sm^'rna, which are 

 alwa\'s eaten dried, the nutt\' llavour due to the seeds 

 is much prized. In the culti\ation of this \ariet\' of 



