Defcr'iption of the XJrceola Elajiica. 155 



The impropriety of giving to Caout-cbouc the term gum, 

 refin, or gum-refin, every one feems fenfible of, as it pof- 

 fefles qualities totally different from all fach fubftances as 

 are ufually arranged under thofe generic names ; yet it ftill 

 continues, by mod authors I have met with, to be deno- 

 minated elaftic rcfin or elaftic gum. Some term it (imply 

 Caout-chouc, which I wifli may be confidered as the generic 

 name of all fuch concrete vegetable juices (mentioned in this 

 memoir) as poflefs elafticity, iriflammability, and are ioluble 

 in the effential oils, without the afliftance of heat. 



In a mere definition it would be improper to ftate what 

 qualities the obje6l does not poffefs; confequently, it mud 

 be underftood that this fubftance is not foluble in the men- 

 ftruums which ufually diflblve refins and gums. 



Eaft-India Caout-chouc would be a very proper fpecific 

 name for that of Urceda claJlica, were there not other trees 

 which yield juices fo fimilar as to come under the fame ge- 

 neric charafter ; but as this is really the cafe, I will apply 

 the name of the tree which yields it for a fpecific one. 

 E. G. Caout-cbouc of Urceola El'ijlica, Caout-cbouc of Ficus 

 Lidica, Caout-chouc of Artvcarpus iiitegrifolia, &c. &c, 



Dtfcripllon of the Plant Urceola. 

 PENTANDRIA MOXOGYNIA. 



Gen. Char. Calyx beneath five- toothed ; corol one-petaled, 

 pitcher-fhaped, with its contrafted mouth five-toothed ; nec- 

 tary entire, fin-rounding the germs ; follicles two, round, dru- 

 pacious J feeds numerous, immerfcd in pulp. 



Urceola Elastica. 



Shrubby, twining, leaves oppofite, oblong, panicles ter- 

 minal ; is a native of Sumatra, Pullo-pinang, &;g. Malay 

 countries. 



Stem, woody, climbing over trees, &c. to a very great ex- 

 tent, young fhoots twining, and a little hairy, bark of the 

 old woody parts thick, dark-coloured, confiderably uneven, 

 a little fcabrous, on which I found feveral fpecies of mofs, 

 particularly large patches of lichen : the wood is white, light, 

 and porous. 



Ltw-jcs, oppofite, {hort-petioled, horizontal, ovate, oblong, 

 X 'X pointed. 



