_Ibid._, act ii, sc. 1 (256). (10) _Horner._ I'll pledge you all, and a Fig for Peter. _2nd Henry IV_, act ii, sc. 3 (66). (11) _Pistol._ "Convey," the wise it call; "steal!" foh! a Fico for the phrase! _Merry Wives_, act i, sc. 3 (32). (12) _Charmian._ O excellent! I love long life better than Figs. _Antony and Cleopatra_, act i, sc. 2 (32). In some of these passages (as 5, 6, 7, and perhaps in more) the reference is to a grossly insulting and indecent gesture called "making the fig." It was a most unpleasant custom, which largely prevailed throughout Europe in Shakespeare's time, and on which I need not dwell. It is fully described in Douce's "Illustrations of Shakespeare," i, 492. In some of the other quotations the reference is simply to the proverbial likeness of a Fig to a matter of the least importance.[94:1] But in the others the dainty fruit, the green Fig, is noticed. The Fig tree, celebrated from the earliest times for the beauty of its foliage and for its "sweetness and good fruit" (Judges ix. 11), is said to have been introduced into England by the Romans; but the more reliable accounts attribute its introduction to Cardinal Pole, who is said to have planted the Fig tree still living at Lambeth Palace. Botanically, the Fig is of especial interest. The Fig, as we eat it, is neither fruit nor flower, though partaking of both, being really the hollow, fleshy receptacle enclosing a multitude of flowers, which never see the light, yet come to full perfection and ripen their seed. The Fig stands alone in this peculiar arrangement of its flowers, but there are other plants of which we eat the unopened or undeveloped flowers, as the Artichoke, the Cauliflower, the Caper, the Clove, and the Pine Apple. FOOTNOTES: [94:1] This proverbial worthlessness of the Fig is of ancient date. Theocritus speaks of συκινοι ανδρες, useless men; Horace, "Olim truncus eram ficulnus, inutile lignum;" and Juvenal, "Sterilis mala robora ficus." FILBERTS. _Caliban._ I'll bring thee to clustering Filberds. _Tempest_, act ii, sc. 2(174). (_See_ HAZEL.) FLAGS. _Cæsar._ This common body Like to a vagabond Flag upon the stream Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide, To rot itself with motion. _Antony and Cleopatra_, act i, sc. 4 (44).