SITTING  UNDER A FIG TREE.


      As I sit under a fig tree, l watch  a tumble bug or dung beetle
   ( Coprophagous) come tumbling along with a large ball of dung.
   l love these Latin names, my favourite has to be (Turdus Turdus.)

     The figs are not ready yet, but when they are open the fleshy fruits
   to reveal the red succulent interior. This is where the single sexed
   flowers are.. A pollinating beetle (Blastophaga grossorum), enters
   the fruit through a small opening at the apex to lay her eggs, pollinating
   as she moves from one tree to another. When the eggs hatch out the
   grublets eat the fruit. Watch out for them, or " just fignore them" ,
   as my niece would say.

     Half ripe figs are semi-poisonous. On the other hand the fig fruit
   and sap are used medicinally against, boils, skin infections, warts,
   insect bites, stings and of course syrup of figs! Never burn fig wood
  it is hugely noxious.

     The fig tree is mentioned in the Bible more times than any other
   plant. Its leaf being the first garment for mankind. This l rather
   contest. Be carefull the leaves are scratchy and can bring on a
   nasty rash.

     Indeed, as in days of old when Knights were bold and used a blade
   of grass, I was caught short  and having no blades of grass,
   I plucked the nearest green leaf !( a fig leaf ). Minutes later I
   suffered the most dreadful reaction. Luckily there was a water
   channel nearby.

    Fig wood is easily bent and can be used to make bent wood furniture,
   garlands, hoops ect: The wilder Egyptian fig was used , because of its
   light- weight  durability for making mummy coffins.