4 ON THE COMMERCIAL KINDS OF INDIA-RUBBER. 
it into balls and boil fhem as before. Anciently they used to play with these 
ahi upon the hip or shoulder. From the ulli an oil is extracted of great 
value in various applications. It was formerly much used by the natives, nor 
have they forgotten its bene now, for it is soft and lubricous, and of espe- 
cial effect in removing any tightness of the chest. The oil is extracted from 
the ulli by heat ; it starts out in a manner to excite admiration, leaving no- 
g to compare it unto. The oil is drunk mixed with cocoa, and indeed it 
poopie (i.e. the Spaniards) used it in waxing their acai 
which were made of coa 
truth, it is of great effect in resisting the water, but not so the sun, for the 
rays thereof melt it.” 
For our first accurate information respecting the india-rubber yielded 
by different species of Hevea (= Sipho lonia), we are indebted to M. de 
la Condamine, who, together with three fellow-academicians, was dis- 
patched in 1735 on an astronomical mission to South America, 
and who sent a short notice of his discovery to the French Academy 
in 1736, subsequently furnishing the following account :— 
** The resin cahout- chou, in those countries of the province of Quito adja- 
not easy to break; boots and hollow bowls, which may be squeezed flat, and 
when no longer under wie resume their first form. The Portuguese of 
Para have learnt y the Omaquas to make squirts or syringes thereof, which 
have no need of piston or sucker. They are made hollow in the form of a 
pear when ar having a little hole at the small end, to which a pipe of 
then filled with water, and by squeezing them 
they have the same effect as a common squirt. This machi great 
vogue among the Omaquas ; when they meet together by themselves for any 
guests, and the use of the squirt with them is always the prelude to their most 
feast i 
sol This use of india-rubber led to i names of Seringa and 
Siphonia, and by the Portuguese, “ Pao de Zirringa.’ 
vas, so as to make them resist water; and, in , 
