SATOTACKM. 



above, densely tomentose underneath, and heathery, witli parallel veins nearly 

 at right angles with tlie prominent inidrih. Flowers small, on short, recurved, 

 silky j^edicels, clustered in the axils of the leaves. Calyx hell-shaped; seg- 

 ments 6, in 2 imbricated rows, persistent. Corolla-tube scarcely longer than 

 the calyx, with G segments; staiuens 12, inserted on the throat of the corolla; 

 filaments in one row, equal, slender, extending beyond the segments of the 

 corolla ; anthers ovate acute, 2-celled, opeuiug lengthwise outwardly ; ovary 

 globose, slightly j)ubesceut, 6-celled, with au ovule in each cell ; style simple, 

 slender, longer than the stameus ; stigma terminal, blunt. Fruit one and a 

 half inches loug, ovoid, pointed, and rusty-pubescent. Seed uot described. 



(ieofjraphi/. — The tree tliat furnishes the gutta percha of commerce is 

 tropical, found mitive in the East Indies, Ceylon, and the Malay Islands. 



Ktymoloijii. — Dichopsis is from the Greek Six«, diversely, and oi//ty, aspect. 

 Gutta, the specific name, is from the Malay, 

 and signifies " sticky juice ; " and percha is 

 Malay for " tree ; " hence " sticky-juiced 

 tree." 



History. — Gutta percha was first intro- 

 duced to the notice of Europeans by voy- 

 agers wlio had visited the coasts of Malacca 

 and the Malay Islands. The sailors obtained 

 it from the natives, in the form of bowls, 

 cups, etc., as drinking-vessels, knife-iiaudles, 

 and other useful articles. Dr. Montgomerie 

 carried gutta percha to England in 1843, 

 and showed the method of forming it into 

 domestic utensils and surgical instruments; 

 it has now attained a point of wonderful im- 

 portance in domestic economy. 



vSome notice of the tree was taken to 

 Europe in 1656, nearly two hundred years 

 prior. ])ut the world seemed not yet ready 

 for it. 



Preparation. — It was at first obtained by 

 felling the tree, stripping off the bark, and 



removing the cambium layer, which is charged with sap containing the sub- 

 stance. Now a less wasteful method is practiced, which consists in tapping 

 by boring into the sap-wood and inserting a tube. The sap thus caught soon 

 coagulates, and can bo kneaded into cakes for market, at which time it has 

 tile appearance of leather and the odor of cheese. Thougli not elastic, it is 

 made plastic l)y heat, when it takes any form to suit the workman's fancv. 



Use. — The timber of this magnificent tree is not valuable for building pur- 

 poses, as it is soft and weak. The gum it produces, however, has become of 

 great economic importance. It is of intermediate consistence l)etweon wood 

 and leather, softens by heat, aiul is immersed in hot water for that purpose ; 

 while in a soft state it takes delicate iiiiprossions. which remain sharp 

 when cool 



It is formed into knife-handlt-s. whips, surgical instruments, splints, combs, 

 soles of shoes, and covers for books; hut the most important use to which it 

 has been applie<l is to insulate telegraphic cables Being impervious to water 

 and a bad ((niductor of »'lectricity, it is the best of all materials for that 

 purpose. 



Dichopsis gutta (Gutta Percha). 



