31 



containing nearly four times us much resin and only half as much 

 caoutchouc ;is the hitter. As the trees of both species were of the same 

 age this difference in the product would appear to be characteristic, 

 but before this conclusion can be entirely accepted it will be necessary 

 to examine Larger specimens of the rubber derived from older plants 

 and it is desirable that these specimens should be obtained. 



111. — Samples of Castilloa and Funtumia rubbers. 



These samples of Castilloa and Funtumia rubber, prepared by the 

 Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens, were forwarded to the 

 Imperial Institute for chemical examination and commercial valuation 

 by the Government of Trinidad and are referred to in a letter from 

 the Colonial Secretary, No. 995/03/304. dated February 13th, L903. 

 Full particulars regarding the collection and preparation of the 

 specimens were furnished in a letter from Mr. Hart dated February, 

 12th 1903. 



Seven samples of rubber, five of Castilloa and two of Funtumia. 

 were submitted for examination. These had been prepared by different 

 methods and in the case of the Castilloa rubber from trees of different 

 age. In addition two specimens of the entire latex of Castilloa, to 

 which ' Chloretone ' had been added as a preservative, and three 

 specimens of the mother liquor of the Castilloa latex after removal of 

 the rubber, were forwarded. 



The samples of the entire latex had been forwarded in connection 

 with an enquiry in progress in the Scientific and Technical Department 

 of the Imperial Institute but unfortunately the 'chloretone' did not 

 suffice to preserve them and they had completely coagulated during 

 transit. The mother liquor of the latex from which the rubber had 

 been separated is a dark coloured liquid which is stated to yield on 

 evaporation " a hard black sticky substance, intensely bitter, resembling 

 in appearance Bitter Aloes." I he constituents of this mother liquor 

 have been reserved for future investigation. 



The present report deals exclusively therefore with the seven 

 specimens of rubber and, for convenience or reference, the particulars 

 furnished by Mr. Hart are quoted in connection with the description 

 of each sample. 



Description of the Samples. — No. 2 Funtumia. 



" 350 c.c. Funtumia latex from trees 4£ years old. This was 

 coagulated with a sufficient quantity of alcohol added gradually and 

 produced 270 grams of wet rubber. ' Wet rubber ' is rubber just 

 after coagulation. It drains considerably afterwards and probably loses 

 15 to 20 per cent, in weight." 



The specimen consisted of two pieces of rubber each approximate 1 v 

 d / 'x3 // xl // , and together weighing 240 grams. On.arrival they were 

 a light brown colour externally but darkened considerably on keeping : 

 when cut they were slightly porous and quite moist within but con- 

 tained no uncoagulated latex ; the colour of the freshly cut surface 

 was a light cinnamon brown and only a trace of foreign matter was 

 present. The rubber was soft and slightly sticky, very elastic but 

 rather deficient in tenacity. 



