MYSQEB AND COOBG. 289- 



558 Ficus glomerata, Roxb. ,Kan. Atti. 



Tig—King. Fie. PI. 173 & 114; Wight Ic. t. 667- 



References.— F/. of Brit.Ind.; Diet, of Ikon. 

 Prod, of Ind. ; Pharm. Ind. 



The country fig. A large buttressed tree of 50 — 70 

 feet. Never quite bare, altliougli the leaves mostly 

 fall at the close of the cold season. Bark whitish- 

 grey ; young parts pubescent, or slightly scabrous, 

 subsequently glabrous and usually more or less 

 tuhercled. Leaves petiolate, membranous, alternate, 

 ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate,tapering to a blunt- 

 ish point; average blade 2|- x .51 in. Fruit pedunculate, 

 clustered On the trunk and limbs, very prolific, 

 subglobular to oval or subpyriform, the size of a 

 plum, reddish when ripe and littering the ground 

 under the trees. 



Except for occasional use under water, the wood 

 has no industrial value. Weight 25 — 30 lb. per 

 cubic foot. Medicinal properties are attributed to 

 the leaves, bark', fruit, and milk-sap, the latter being 

 very commonly appHed to bruises, ulcers, and other 

 external sores. Although eaten by the poor in 

 times of scarcity, , and fairly palatable when half 

 ripe, the i-aw fruit is not good for human consump- 

 tion. At an early stage of maturity it becomes 

 possessed of maggots, but donkeys, swine, goats and 

 cattle, are fond of it, and if specially prepared at a 

 certain stage, of growth it would doubtless .afford a 

 good portable food for cattle in times of scarcity. 

 In upper India the unripe fruit is pounded, mixed 

 with flour, and made into cakes, while in this pro- 

 vince there is a popular notion that the curried 

 green-fruit is a good remedy for rheumatism. Being 

 plentiful all over the maidan districts, the collection 

 and 'preparation of half or partially ripened fruit 

 into a portable food for cattle, is worthy of trial. 

 " " ' ■-" ^" 37" 



