Insects killing Ficus tree????

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We have a ficus tree (I *think* it's a ficus tree - its leaves are about 1¼ 
wide by 3" long) in the house, it's about 6'6" high and we've had it for about 
a year.

Some branches are dying off and along those branches there's little (1/16 - 
1/8 inch) hemispherical brown things stuck to the branches.  I can't see any 
insects on the tree but I assume that it's being killed by an infestation.

Does anyone know what it is and what I should do?

Any advice gratefully received.

Tony Brower                             tonyb at interport.net
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"I prefer the hands-on touch you only get with hired goons."
- Monty Burns  (The Simpsons)