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Banana Sandwiches

Slice and serve the fruit between Banana Loaf or plain bread with mayonnaise, or add lemon juice to the crushed pulp. Cress may be added.

T CHAPTER XXI THE FIG (Moracea) HE Ficus carica, or common fig, is but one of more than a hundred species of a most interesting fruit which from the earliest of ancient times has, in its varying forms, been accorded not only a place of importance but honour and reverence. Biblical records mention the fig as clothing, food, and medicine, and, regarding the first, were foliage available for modern costumes the fig tree would be enhanced in value because of the infinite variety of its leafpatterns; two leaves, even on the same tree, seldom being found exactly alike.

The Egyptian Sycamore (F. sycamorus) which is supposed to be the sycamore of the Scriptures, the Banyan (F. Indica), the India Rubber tree (F. elastica), or "Caoutchouc," and the renowned Peepul Tree of India (F. religiosa: the Bo Tree of Ceylon) are among the many species of the fig, and the oldest tree in the world is a Ceylon Bo Tree whose age is estimated by historical records to be over two thousand years. The Hindus venerate the Sacred Fig because Vishnu is said to have been born under it and the Buddhists because under one of them they believe "Gotama Buddha reclined at Uruwelaya when he underwent his apotheosis." Colder countries are not strangers to the fig for it is cultivated many degrees north of the frost line in both Europe and America though, as in France and England, winter-protection is a necessity.

Either green or dried figs are excellent food and as a whole the fruit has no superior in healthfulness. Its large amount of sugar is nourishing and being one of nature's best laxatives, pleasant to the taste, mild yet positive in effect, it may be given more freely with greater safety in quantity-to many more people (from children to those most advanced in years) than decidedly acid fruits. Figs are also considered good for the kidneys and because of their demulcent property are sometimes given in pulmonary troubles. Externally applied they are considered very healing (as in the days of Hezekiah) and so, roasted gently or boiled, the inner part is not infrequently used as a poultice. It is said that among the Malays the juice of one species of fig, the F. toxicaria, is used for poisoning arrows. With some figs the milk is very mild but with many others is acrid though not harmful as with the toxicaria. It was without doubt this very common, temporary stinging sensation which gave rise to the custom of eating fresh figs as below.

Wherever this fruit grows every effort should be made to put by a goodly store for future use for, perhaps, in addition to its wholesome qualities there is no fruit which dried, or preserved by some method of cooking, so retains or so transforms its charms into equal attractiveness. It is almost unique in being as agreeable dried as in its original, fresh juiciness and its saccharine quality is greater.