MISCELLANEOUS ECONOMIC PRODUCTS 



563 



form of latex by a method of tapping or ringing the bark. Felling 

 the trees and ringing the bark is the usual method resorted to; 

 consequently the trees have become scarce. In recent years, how- 

 ever, this depletion is reported to have been somewhat obviated by 

 planting up the trees in forests and reserves. It is computed that 

 an average yield of 1 6 Ib. of gutta per tree may be obtained from 

 trees in the wild state. Unlike rubber, gutta softens or melts in 

 moderate heat. Its principal use is for insulating cable wires, etc., 

 but it is also largely employed for making soles for boots and shoes. 

 The following are the principal gutta-yielding trees: 



Palciquini (Dtchopsis) Gutta, known as "Taban Gutta," or 

 "Taban Merah;" P. Maingayi ("Gutta-Tabban Simpoo"); 

 P. pisluhita ("Gutta-Taban Puteh"); P. obovata and P. Treubh. 

 P. gnintiis (" Kiri-hembiliya," 5.), is indigenous to the moist low- 

 country forests of Ceylon. Payena Lcerii, introduced to Ceylon in 

 1880, and now established at Peradeniya and Heneratgoda 

 Gardens, yields the Gutta Sundete, while "Gutta Singgarip" is 

 obtained from the climber or liane known as Willitghbeia firma. 



Balata is a product analagous to gutta-percha, obtained chieHy 

 from Minnisops globosa or "Bully-tree," belonging to the same 

 family as Palaqitiiun and found chiefly in Venezuela and British and 

 Dutch Guiana, whence the article is exported. In the Guianas, the 

 balata is sun-dried into sheets, while in Venezuela the latex is boiled 

 and made into block balata, which commands about 6</. per pound 

 less in the market than sheet balata. The latter usually fetches 

 about 3s. 6d. per Ib. Balata has considerable powers of wear and 

 resistance, and is used for belting, water-proofing, etc. 



IMPORTANT TIMBER AND CABINET WOODS OF 

 THE TROPICS 



Billion Eusideroxylon Zxvagerii 



Brazilletto-wood. Peltophorum 



Linmei 



Calamander. Diospyros quaesitaj 

 Cam-wood. Baphia nitidai 



Chittangong-wood. Chickrassia 



tabularis 

 Coffin Tree. Machilus namnu 



Dattock. 



Detarium guineense 



Ltinraceac , Borneo. 



Lcgnniinosac ! West Indies. 



Ebciiaccnc Ceylon. 

 Lt&tntiHOsac VV T est Trop. Africa. 

 Mcliaceac Burma. 



Laurticcnc 

 Lcgnmiiwsac 



China. Esteemed for m;ik- 



ing coffins. 

 Tropical Africa. 



