SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, JULY 8. 



cxxxix 



and eaten by the poorer classes in Egypt, but the process is the same now 

 as described by Theophrastus in the fifth century b.c. Three forms of 



a b c 



Fig. 176. 



Fig-cutters were shown. A paper upon the Sycomore Fig will be found 

 in the Society's Jouenal, vol. xxvii. at p. 128. 



Male flowers in edible Figs. — Professor Henslow drew attention to 

 the Fig known as ' Pingo de Mel,' one of the early varieties known as 

 ' St. John's Figs,' since they ripen about St. John Baptist's day, June 24, 

 as it has all the appearance of being a cultivated form of the Cap ring. It 

 has numerous stamens round the orifice, but while the anthers are well- 

 formed they bear no pollen. The female flowers are altogether like gall- 

 flowers of the Caprifig, having the usual globular ovary and sub- peltate 

 stigma. 



