128 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



THE SYCOMORE FIG. 



By Rev. Professor G. Henslow, M.A., V.M.H., &c. 



There is an interesting fact about the fruit of Ficus Sycomorus, the 

 Alexandrian or Egyptian Fig, which is not generally known, and has 

 some antiquarian interest. I refer to the custom of cutting off the top 

 of the fruit to render it edible ; for like the Caprifig, or Wild Fig (Ficus 



Pio. 46. 



Carica, var. CCLVTificus), the fruits are infested by a minute wasp (Syco- 

 phaga crassipes, West).* There are not two forms of the Sycomore Fig, 

 but every fruit appears to develop myriads of wasps. 



* I am indebted to Rev. T. A. Marshall, Botus Fleming, Hatt, Cornwall, for identi- 

 fying the insect, which he regards as synonymous with BlastopJutga grossorum of the 

 Capri fig. 



