4 i4 LETTERS. 
are here, with feveral others, which I find are na- 
tives of Natolia as well as Sweden. 
The following obtervations about the fig-tree 
I have acquired here, and now Ihall have the ho- 
nour of communicating them to you, as I got 
them. 
The pofleffors of fig-trees are very follicitous, 
that the much-talked-of fly fhall pierce the fig, 
and unlefs this is done, they are perfuaded they 
fhall have no fruit. 
Another infedt perfecutes this and kills it, to 
the lofs of the pofieflors ; this they hinder by 
fmearing a paint on the tree, juft beneath the 
branches ; this confifts of common red paint and 
water, which the pernicious infect dares not to 
pafs. I have in all places feen many fuch rings 
painted on the tree ; but cannot know the infects, 
as the feafon of the year permitted me not to fearch 
for it, perhaps it is a pilmire. 
Those, who cultivate fig-trees, take the black 
figs C thus they call Caprificus), and fallen them on 
a thread in the form of a necklace, which they 
hang on the fruit-bearing trees, and believe it to 
contribute towards producing good and great 
plenty of fruit. 
The fig-tree is fubjeft to a fcurf (AsVea Graec. 
hod.) I faw plenty of this fcurf yefterday, and 
found it to confift of a quantity of infeels cells 
placed on the bark of the branches, of the fize of 
a pea, the top of them deprefled, and a little 
pointed in the middle, of a very brittle fubftance, 
being eafily rubbed to dull becween the fingers ; 
they confift of two membranes, of which the in- 
ward is brown, and the outward greyifh, there are 
always three placed together, fo as to form a trian- 
gle. They were dry and dead on all the trees 
when 
