66 A NATURALIST IN THE GUIANAS 



been put to commercial uses for more than half a century. 



It is only within the last decade that an extensive trade in 



balata gum has sprung up, although so far back as 1857 



Professor Bleekrod called attention to its value as a 



substitute for guttapercha.^ The tree producing this 



gum is one of the largest of forest trees. Its timber is 



exceedingly hard, heavy, and durable, and is of a fine 



claret colour. It is found all over the West India 



Islands and in Venezuela, being particularly abundant in 



the Guianas, where the preparation of balata gum has 



become within the last four or five years a very important 



industry. Unfortunately the method employed to obtain 



the gum is sure to lead to the destruction of this 



industry which, if conducted on intelligent principles, 



might constitute a permanent source of wealth to the 



countries where the balata-tree is found in the forests. 



It is almost impossible to exercise any control over the 



gum collectors in the vast expanses of forest where their 



operations are carried on, so that they are at liberty to 



work in whatever manner they choose ; and they have in 



consequence adopted the method which gives the least 



labour and the biggest return. Instead of judiciously 



tapping the trees, the gum collectors throw them down ; 



and then, by scoring the bark of the trunk and branches, 



they secm'e all the sap they can, which they then boil and 



cast into rough moulds. Sometimes the gum is brought 



to market in the shape of large blocks. The experienced 



trader, who has learnt that these blocks may contain 



heavy stones or other materials not as valuable as gum, 



is very careful in deaHng with this class of merchandise. 



held in great estimation and grows in the hot country. It is not a very 

 high tree ; the leaves are round and of an ashy colour. This tree yields a 

 white milky substance, thick and gummy, and in great abundance.' 

 ' Journal Hoc. Arts, October 9, 18"<7. 



