104 NIGERIASOUTHERN PROVINCES 



The next rubber plant of importance is the vine, 

 Landolphia owariensis, which is somewhat variable in the 

 form of growth. The latex at certain seasons coagulates 

 almost instantaneously, but at other times it runs freely, 

 and can be collected for coagulation by heat, the ad- 

 mixture of acid, alkali or alcohol, or by spontaneous 

 exposure. The scrap rubber, which is collected from 

 that coagulated upon the stem, is made into balls, and 

 comes into the market under the name of " first Niggers," 

 and commands a high price. 



The native has discovered that a larger amount of 

 rubber can be obtained at one time if the roots and stems 

 are cut and pounded up. The result is a product known 

 as " root rubber," the collection of which can be justified 

 only where the plant, from which it is obtained, develops 

 an extensive rhizome or subterranean growth, capable of 

 being partially removed without killing the plant. Such 

 vines, although found in some other parts of Africa, do 

 not occur in Southern Nigeria, and the collection of 

 so-called " root rubber " from L. owariensis only leads 

 to the complete destruction of the plant, and should be 

 discouraged. The small yield of latex from this species 

 after many years of growth, and the difficulties in con- 

 nection with the collection of the rubber, render its culti- 

 vation in plantations unprofitable, although planting has 

 been attempted in the French and German Colonies. 



Clitandra elastica is another vine said to yield a copious 

 supply of latex, capable of being coagulated by means 

 of heating after dilution with water. In appearance the 

 vine is somewhat similar to L. owariensis, but does not 

 appear to be common. The rubber produced from this 

 species is reported to be of excellent quality. 



Carpodinus hirsutus, a common vine in the dry zone 

 and on the Niger river banks, furnishes a plentiful supply 

 of latex of inferior quality, and is made into " root " 

 and " paste " rubber by boiling ; the latter being a sticky 

 product of the consistency of birdlime, and only saleable 

 in Europe at a low price. 



The latices of Landolphia Thompsonii and L. senegal- 

 ensis are used similarly. Both species are nearly allied to 

 L. florida, which is prepared elsewhere. 



A number of latex-yielding plants are employed in the 

 adulteration of good rubber, among which the following 



