Mysore and ooosg. ^175 



red, the size of a pea. Commonly planted at the 

 roadsides, although not one of the best for affording 

 a high canopy of shade to the traveller. In this 

 respect, it is inferior to the last three species. 



Cultivation,— The same as for the Banyan and 

 Goni. ' 



543 Ficus Benjamina, Linn. 



Fig— King Fir. PL 52, 83b.; Bot Plates Lai- 

 Bagh Collection. Wight. Ic t. 668. 



References.— 5ecM. For. Man. 323 ; Kurz. For. 

 Fl. 446.; Diet, of Econ. Prod. ofIn£ 



Commonly known in India as the " Java fig. " 

 A large evergreen tree with drooping branchlets. 

 Aerial roots stem-clasping, or practically suppressed. 

 For rapid growth, shade, and scenic effect, this 

 splendid tree surpasses all the figs. Originally 

 introduced from the Malayan Peninsula and now 

 rather extensively cultivated in Indian pleasure 

 grounds. It forms the central avenue in the Cubbon 

 Park at Bangalore, and unique specimens, some of 

 which are not more than 12 — 1-5 years old, may be 

 seen at the Lal-Bagh and elsewhere. Leaves alter- 

 nate, shortly petiolate, glabrous, shining, broadly 

 ovate-elliptic, shortly acuminate ; average blade 

 li-x 2-| in. Fruit in scattered, or occasionally crowd- 

 ed sessile pairs, rusty-red, the size of a pea. Wood 

 nicely mottled and moderately hard when well 

 seasoned. Weight 34 lb. per cubic foot. Gamble 

 states that lac is produced on the tree in Assam. 

 The Botanical Gardens contain a single large 

 specijnen of Ficus Benjamina var. cmnosa, which, in 

 f ojiage and bark, is almost identical with the specific 

 form ; but growth is not so vigorous, while the 

 receptacle is the size of a small gooseberry 

 and rich orange to golden yellow in colour. Noth- 

 ing is recorded of the properties of this wood, but 



