72 ADDITIONS 
Ficus elastica, Roxburgh.* 
Upper India. A large tree yieldiDg its milk- sap copiously for 
caoutchouc. Already Roxburgh ascertained 60 years ago, that 
Indiarubber could be dissolved in Cajaput oil (so similar to our 
Eucalyptus oil), and that the sap yielded about one-third of its 
weight caoutchouc. This tree is not of quick growth iu the 
changeable and often dry clime of Melbourne, but there is every * 
prospect that it would advance rather rapidly in any of our 
extensively unutilized forest gullies, and that copious plantations 
of it there would call forth a new local industry. Mr. S. Kurz 
states that also F. laccifera (Roxb.), from Silhet, is a Caoutchouc 
fig tree, and that both this and F. elastica yield most in a ferru- 
gineous clay soil on a rocky substratum ; further, that both can 
bear dryness, but like shade in youth. Several other species of 
tropical figs, as well American as Asiatic, are known to produce 
good caoutchouc, but it is questionable whether any of them 
would prosper in our southern latitudes ; nevertheless for the 
conservatories of botanic gardens, all such plants should be 
secured, with a view of promoting public instruction. 
Ficus rubiginosa, Desfontaines. 
New South Wales. One of the most hardy of all fig trees, and 
very eligible among evergreen shade trees. It is estimated that 
the genus Ficus comprises about 600 species, many occurring in 
cool mountain regions of tropical countries. The number of 
those, which would endure our clime, is probably not small. 
Flindersia Oxleyana, F. von Mueller. 
The yellow wood of New South Wales and Queensland. Other 
species occur there, among which F. Bermettiana is the best for 
avenue purposes. 
Fitzroya Patagonica, J. Hooker.* 
Chili, as far south as Chiloe. The Alerce of the Chilians. 
Grows on swampy moory places. The diameter of the stem 
reaches sometimes the extraordinary extent of 15 feet. The wood 
is almost always red, easily split, light, does not warp, stands 
exposure to the air for half a century, and in Valdivia and 
Chiloe almost all buildings are roofed with shingles of this tree 
(Dr. Philippi). Like Libocedrus tetragona this tree should be 
extensively planted in our unutilized swampy moors. 
Flacourtia Ramontchi, I’Heritier. (F. sapida, Roxburgh.) 
India up to Beloochistan. This and F. cataphracta (Roxb.) form 
thorny trees with somewhat plumlike fruits. With other species 
they can be adopted for hedge copses. 
