4 88 
Saw-flies, Gall-flies, Ichneumons, 
of the caprifig from which she came, and thus fertilizes them. This process 
is called caprification* Without it no Smyrna fig has its flowers fertilized 
and its seeds “set.” It is the development of the seeds with the accom¬ 
panying swelling of the fleshy receptacle and the storing of sugar in it that 
makes the Smyrna fig so pleasant to the palate. The trees may grow large 
and bear quantities of fruit, but if the figs (really the fig-flowers) are not 
Fig. 690. —Figs on a branch; the two lower ones are mammae, winter figs, from which 
Blastophaga are about to issue; the others are profichi, spring figs, ready to receive the 
Blastophaga. (After Howard; natural size.) 
caprified, the size, sweetness, and nutty flavor of the perfect fruit are lacking. 
To insure caprification, branches laden with caprifigs containing Blastopha- 
gas just about to issue are suspended artificially among the branches of the 
* For an account of the important role played by insects in the fertilization of flowers 
see Chapter XVI. 
