158 INDIAN RUBBER ANL&amp;gt; VARNISH TREES. 



is very various in its thickness, never, that I have seen, 

 exceeding about four to four and a half inches in circum 



ference. 



% 



THE INDIAN RUBBER TREE 



Grows to some seventy to ninety feet high, mmense 

 forests of it are found on the west side of the Buram- 

 pooter, extending along the Meeree and Abor mountains. 

 It is a stately tree it is said some are 100 feet high. 

 The rubber from this tree has not answered for exporting 

 from India. The expense of making is a mere trifle ; 

 but, whether it is owing to the tree having been accustomed 

 to a colder climate, or from some chemical property in the 

 rubber, it cannot bear the heat of a passage to Europe. 

 It becomes a fluid during the voyage. Otherwise, in cold 

 climates, it is equal to other rubbers. 



THE KIA PUTTY, OR KAYAPOOTEE OIL TREE 



Is also a very large tree, and yields its oil in the same 

 manner as the pine tree does the turpentine. The oil is 

 thick and is often used by itself for varnish over maps. 



THE BLACK GUM VARNISH TREE 



Is another very large tree. The gum is obtained in 

 a fluid state, and remains so. The Tartars obtain it by 

 making slits in the bark of the tree, and then, filling it 

 into small pieces of bamboo, sell it for varnishing over 

 handles of their dahs (swords). A wine-glass-full sells 

 for 8 annas, or 25 cents % However, it is more generally 

 bartered for rice, salt, &c. Some idea may be had of 



