tained from the vast regions drained by the 

 Amazon and its tributaries, estimated to embrace 

 a territory nearly two-thirds the size of Europe. 



The Mexican rubber tree, growing in the 

 district of Soconusco, on the shores of the 

 Pacific, has been named Castillo, Lactiflua; 

 Castilla, in honor of Castillo, a Spanish botan- 

 ist, who died in 1793, while engaged in the 

 preparation of a flora of Mexico; and Lactiflua, 

 signifying flowing milk, distinguishing it from 

 trees in other localities, from which the milk 

 exudes but does not run freely. 



This tree, however, is known generally as 

 Castilloa Elastica, commercially placed under 

 the head of " Centrals," next in quality to 

 Para, far more productive in quantity, and of 

 all rubber trees responding most readily to cul- 

 tivation. 



The world's supply of rubber has up to this 

 time been drawn almost wholly from the wild 

 trees found growing in the dense depths of 

 tropical forests; but owing to the destructive 

 methods of gathering pursued by the natives, 

 millions of trees have been destroyed, to re- 

 place which will require the yearly planting of 

 thousands of acres. 



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