76 PARA RUBBER. 



policy, providing sufficient labour be available, and the market 

 price of rubber permits of this method of tapping being profitably 

 employed. 



The Macadam "Comb" Pricker (\g. 1 i). This tool is used to 

 slightly prick or puncture the lactiferous cells and thus accelerate 

 the flow of latex without loss of tissue. A steel comb or serrated 

 steel plate is adjusted by a thumbscrew working on a back 



FIG. ii. The Macadam "Comb" Pricker. 



plate and is regulated to a nicety at will of operator. Fitted 

 with double sheaved arch handle. Length of blade, 4^ inches ; 

 weight, 8 oz. 



THE LATICIFEROUS SYSTEM OF THE PARA RUBBER TREE. 



Before reviewing the various methods of tapping in vogue, it 

 will be advisable to study the laticiferous system of the Para 

 rubber tree, i.e., the vessels containing the latex in which the 

 rubber is present. 



The majority of the laticifers (latex-containing vessels) in 

 the trunk of the tree are situated just outside the vascular 

 system, i.e., the cambium tissue between the bark and the wood. 



