COLLECTING THE LATEX. 91 



the channels and consequent blocking of the tapped laticiferous 

 tubes. 



Theoretically the adoption of such an apparatus is excellent, 

 but it has not been generally profitable in practice. A similar 

 remark applies to an elaborate contrivance manufactured for the 

 purpose of conveying the latex from several trees to one collect- 

 ing point. 



TAPPING AREAS, 



Although latex is found both in the trunk, branches, and 

 leaves of the Para rubber tree, the 6 or 7 feet of the trunk 



Fix;. 15. Cafllet's Monorail, recommended for facilitating transport on 

 Rubber Estates. 



nearest the ground is the principal portion operated on for the 

 collection of latex. Obviously, it is the most accessible portion 

 of the tree, and, as it has been previously mentioned, judicious 

 pruning of the young trees will materially encourage its 

 development. 



Marquart, d'Esembeck, and Nees found caoutchouc in the 

 trunk of the Ficus elastica tree, but ascertained that its place was 

 taken by viscine in the latex of the leaves and branches of the 



