ELASTIC GUM VINE 165 



* is prcfervcd by it. For a knowledge of this circum- 

 flance I am indebted to the Chineje. Having fome 

 years ago commiflioned articles made of the elaftic 

 gum from China, I received them in a fmall jar filled 

 up with water, in which ftate I have fince kept them 

 without obferving any figns of decay. 



Should it ever be deemed an object to attempt 

 plantations of the elaftic gum vine in Bengal, I would 

 recommend the foot of the Chittagong, Rajmahal and 

 Bauglipore hills, as fituations where there is every pro- 

 bability of fucceeding, being very fimilar in foil and 

 climate to the places of its growth on Prince of 

 Wales's I/land. It would, however, be advifable to 

 make the firft trial at this fettlement, to learn in what 

 way the propagation of the plant might be moft fuc- 

 cefsfully conducted. A further experience may alfo 

 be necefTary, to afcertain the feafon when the milk 

 can be procured of the beft quality, and in the greateft 

 quantity, with the leaft detriment to the vine. 



* From an account of experiments made with the elaftic Gum 

 by M. Grossart, inferted in the Annals de Chimie for 1792, 

 it appears, that water, when boiling, has a power of partially 

 diflblving the gum fo as to render one part capable of being 

 finally joined to another by preffure only. 



