168 Observations on the Fruit of Fig Trees. 



The anther-bearing florets few and puny, the stigma-bearing 

 florets numerous and large, filling the whole Fig, so as to 

 leave scarcely any vacant space in the middle. Observe 

 upon the difference of the shape ; the anther-bearing florets 

 always grow next the eye of a Fig. If they are to take the 

 lead in a Fig, the part from which they grow will naturally 

 be large, and the part where puny stigma-bearing florets grow 

 will be small ; hence arises the squat shape. If the stigma- 

 bearing florets are to take the lead, the part from which they 

 grow, which is the end next the stalk, will be large, and that 

 part next the eye, where the puny anther-bearing florets grow, 

 small; hence arises the pear-shape. This observation will 

 enable us to pronounce the internal arrangement of a Fig for 

 fructification, from a view of its external shape, and if observa- 

 tions of further varieties of Fig, should accord with these which 

 I have made, we may tell by the shape of the Figs, which a 

 tree puts forth, whether it will bear eatable Figs or not. 



My experiments and observations, on the whole, have 

 enabled me to ascertain, that the barrenness of Fig-trees on a 

 garden wall in this climate may arise from other causes than 

 defect of warmth ; for the tree moved from the wall into the 

 conservatory behaved no otherwise than to do there in May 

 and September, what it had been used to do on the garden 

 wall in August, and the end of October. 



They also have led me to conjecture : 



1st. That Fig trees never bear Figs which contain both 

 kinds of florets in an efficient state. 



2nd. That Figs in which the anther-bearing florets only are 

 perfect, never come to be eatable fruit. 



