286 



INDUSTRIAL PLANTS 



may be extracted from the leaves by using solvents. In 

 separating the solid from the liquid part of the milk obtained 

 by tapping no special means are necessary. A hard "curd" 

 soon forms. After removal of the worst impurities (some- 

 times facilitated by boiling) the raw material is pressed into 

 cakes or lumps and is then ready for export. 



Fig. 272. — Taban-tree {Palaquiuin Gutta, Sapodilla Family, Sapotacece). 

 A, flowering twig. B, young fruit. C, flower. D, ripe fruit. E, F, 

 seed. (Burck.) — Tree 13 ni. tall; leaves rusty-hairy beneath; flowers 

 white; fruit fleshy. Native home, Malaysia. 



The general use of gutta-percha dates only from about the 

 middle of the 19th centur}'. It was first brought j:)rominently 

 into notice by Dr. W. Montgomerie, an English surgeon 

 stationed at Singapore. He found the natives using this 

 extraordinary material for ax handles, sword hilts, and the 

 like. This suggested to him important uses for it in surgery 



