FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 5 



say as to the quantities of the vine producing this rubber, I should think 

 there would be no difficulty in getting together a shipment of say, 50 or a 

 100 pounds, for which I will very gladly pay. If I can get this quantity, I 

 will be in a position to make some local tests, and can also send enough of 

 the rubber home for our factory to test and to make up into manufactured 

 goods, which in their turn will also be tested. The result of such a test, 

 of course, will be very conclusive, and we would be in a position to place 

 a definite value on this rubber. * * * 

 Yours truly, 



Dorking, England, September 6, 1916. 

 I believe that Datura Alba — a species of Stramonium or Thorne Apple — 

 grows plentifully in your Islands. I am interested in the herb as a source 

 of Atropine and wonder if you could have sufficient sent to me (about 2 

 kilograms or 3 pounds) to estimate the value of the herb, I should also like 

 some seeds if they can be obtained in sufficient quantity. ' 

 I am, sir, yours obediently, 



Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, September 5, 1916. 



We have felt for some time that something might be done in Queensland 

 waters to improve the class of sponges on the Barrier Reef, and I am wonder- 

 ing whether it would be practicable to introduce a number of good market- 

 able sponges into Queensland waters, with a view to obtain all possible 

 information on this subject, I am writing to ask whether you could assist 

 us in the matter, and perhaps put us in direct communication with those 

 most able to help us. 



In the meanwhile properly identified specimens of such sponges are 

 keenly desired. 



Soliciting the kind favour of your reply, I am, yours sincerely, 



Manila, July 31, 1916. 



I have received a letter inquiring the whereabouts of a large deposit of 

 short fibre asbestos reported to have been found in these islands. * * * 



I notice in the interesting booklet on the Industrial Resources of the 

 Philippine Islands published by your Bureau about two years ago that 

 asbestiform minerals occur in many localities, 



I shall be much obliged if you will kindly give me any information with 

 regard to this deposit, which was reported through an American channel, 

 or if any others that are being worked, giving the names and addresses of 

 the parties controlling them. 



The inquiry comes from a business house stated to be a large buyer of 

 this material. 



I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



Sydney, July 26, 1916. 



We understand that you have particulars of a patent process for ex- 

 tracting the oil from the matured coconut as it is gathered off the tree, 

 instead of the usual process of first drying the nut into copra, and then 

 pressing for the oil. 



As we are large crushers of coconut oil and are interested in consider- 

 able plantations in the Pacific, we would be very pleased if you could favor 

 us with full particulars of this process and any data which you think would 

 be of any service to us. 



We thank you in prospect. 

 Yours faithfully, 



