>3« 



MORACEAE 



kind has a long, filiform style and produces seed when 

 fertilised, while the others, which have a short style, only 

 act as receivers for the eggs of the fig-insect ; they are 

 consequently called gall-flowers. The fruitlets (achenes) are 

 surrounded by the perianth. 



Fig- 75 I'- Ficus natalensii Hoclist. In the Woodbush (Transvaal). Epiphytic on 

 a true of Lonchocarpus Capassa, which is nearly enveloped by the decurrent roots 

 of the Ficus. The small portion marked " 1 " is the host*, while the greater part of 

 the circumference (indicated by the figure "2" and the arrows) belongs to the Ficus. 

 Photo, by Frank Menne. 



A vast genus of over 600 species, especially numerous 

 in tropical Asia, containing some trees of enormous size 

 and age, viz. the East Indian banyan-tree [Ficus be?ighal- 

 e?isis) and the sycamore (F. sycomorus), an African 

 species which supplied the indestructible wood for the 

 coffins of the Egyptian mummies. There are about two 

 hundred species in Africa, 15 of them occurring within 

 our limits. 



* Called Oli/ants oor by the colonists. 



