26 



RUBBER-CONTENT OF NORTH AMERICAN PLANTS. 



hoped to reduce the error due to individual variation, although it is 

 admitted that a much larger number would give more convincing data. 

 The results as shown in table 3 under Nos. 1034 and 1035 indicate 

 that mature leaves contain the highest percentage. This is in accord- 

 ance with the analyses reported under Nos. 826 and 827, where younger 

 and older leaves from individual plants are compared, and with what 

 has been suggested from other species. No. 1036 seems, however, to 

 be an exception, perhaps accounted for by the pathologic conditions 

 of the foliage. 



Another item of interest brought out in table 3 is the fact that Iarg3, 

 robust plants, like No. 1032, may carry as high or higher percentages 

 of rubber in their leaves as average or small ones. The practical 

 application of this is self-evident. In common with the other species 

 examined, excepting only A. subulata, the amount of rubber in the 

 stems is almost negligible. 



TABLE 3. Chemical analyses of Asclepias syriaca. 



1 Young. 



1 Old leaves from lower down. 



1 Upper portion. 



4 Lower portion. 



6 Between Humphrey and Madison. 



Very large plant; leaves just turning yellow. 

 7 Dried while green; mixture from 5 plants. 



* Dried when yellow; mixture from 5 plants. 



9 Dried when yellowing; mixture from 5 plants, 

 partly mildewed. 



ASCLEPIAS CALIFORNICA. 



Synonym: Gomphocarpus tomentosus. 



Description. Plant a rounded perennial herb, 2 to 3 feet high and 

 about as broad; roots exceptionally large, branching near the surface 

 of the soil to form a broad crown; stems usually 4 to 10, unbranched, 



