i8 



RUBBER AND 



Hevea brasiliensis is a tall and handsome tree, often 

 reaching a height of 90 feet, whilst the circumference 

 near the ground may exceed 12 feet. Commercially, its 

 most important feature is the bark, which reaches a 

 thickness of an inch or more in well-developed trees. 



Fig. i. Hevea brasiliensis. 

 A. Young shoot. B. Inflorescence. 



C. Flower. 



In addition to containing an abundant store of latex, 

 yielding from 30 to 40 per cent, of rubber, the bark of 

 Hevea possesses an admirable consistency for the passage 

 of the various tools used in tapping, combined with a 

 remarkable faculty for recovering from the effect of 



