PIOUS. 209 



leaves, and their robust constitution, eminently adapt them 

 for -window culture and for planting in the sub-tropical 

 garden during the summer months. Independent of this, 

 however, they possess great interest on account of the 

 various species being of vast importance in an economic 

 point of view. For instance, F. elastica suppUes an 

 immense quantity of the India rubber of commerce, as do 

 indeed many other species. Again, we have from F. carica 

 the delicious figs of our gardens, and the same fruit in a 

 dried state is imported in large quantities from the eastern 

 parts of Europe, as an addition to the dessert. The 

 famous Banyan Tree of India, which spreads over such 

 immense spaces by its branches sending down adventitious 

 roots, and thus forming a miniature forest, is also a Pig 

 (F. mddca). Another species, F. religiosa, one of the most 

 ornamental kinds, is highly esteemed by the Hindoos, 

 under the name of Pippul Tree. The juice of all the 

 species is milky, and in nearly all cases hot and biting to 

 the taste. These plants are easily grown, and many of 

 them will withstand a great deal of rough treatment with 

 impunity. They should be potted in somewhat heavy soil 

 — that is a mixture of loam, peat, and sand, in the pro- 

 portion of three parts of the former to one of the last 

 named. Ficus may be easily increased from cuttings, and 

 also from seed. 



F. la/rbata. — This is a superb plant for covering walls 

 in a stove and such-like places, as it adheres close to them, 

 and is not liable to the attacks of insects. The leaves 

 are about three inches in length, cordate, with the point 

 lengthened out, dark green, clothed at the edges with long 

 brown hairs. Native of Singapore, &c. 



F. Bro/Ssii. — This fine species has large somewhat fiddle- 

 shaped leaves, which are rich deep green in colour, whilst 

 p 



