278 FICUS HIRTA. 



observations recentl_y made by Mr. Treub, the liighl\' 

 esteemed Director of the Botanic Gardens in Buitenzory, 

 Java, on I^icus Hirta a species of Fig growing there. Tlie 

 infructescence ol this species is not pollinated, but in spite 

 of this it develops germinating seeds. Hence it is apparent 

 that tliis is due to parthenogenesis, that is to sav the 

 ovules possess the faculty of developing and germinating 

 without fertilisation. Parthenogenesis has for some time 

 been known to exist in different parts of the Animal World, 

 particularh' among insects. And it has also been proved 

 to e.xist in a few of the lower plants. But until quite 

 recently it was considered not to exist among more 

 highly organised plants. Now, however, several well 

 authenticated instances have been brought to light, as 

 in the case of Ficiis Hirta. Nevertheless a fig -wasp, 

 probabh' the Blastophan'a 'Javana, is necessar\- for the 

 development of the fruits of this species. T>aden with 

 pollen the insects penetrate to the cavit\' of the carpellar^- 

 figs of Ficiis Hirta. They force their way through the 

 opening with such ditficultv that the-\' lose both wings and 

 antennae. Sometimes they do not succeed in reaching 

 the interior ot the tig, and perish among the small scales 

 that bar the entrance. When inside the fig they attempt 

 to lav their eggs in the carpels. Finding this impossible 

 they try to get back. The minute pollen grains remain 

 on the stigmas of the llowers and even germinate, but 

 without result since the passage to the ovules is unde- 

 veloped. Hiit the irritation of the Blastophagae, and 

 particularly their attempts to prick the carpel, results in 

 the production of seed and the ripening of the lig. 



