The Indigenous “ Rubber” Trees of British Guiann. 23 
The leaves are usually thin and have distinctly purplish-red under surfaces. 
Small samples of the “rubber ° that were obtained indicate that it is weak and 
resinous. The latex is however whitish and not yellow when first obtained. The 
product from this species appears to be more satisfactory than those obtained 
from the other local heveas, but what yields may be obtained have yet to 
be determined. 
There is still considerable confusion between the different species of Hevea, 
and further collections of specimens in this colony are being made for 
examination. The question of the distribution of heveas in the colony is also a 
matter of interest, and it is hoped that more people may be interested in obtain- 
jng specimens and sending them for examination and record. 
SAPIUMS. 
All the specimens of Sapiums sent to Kew for identification from this colony 
have been referred to three species, but recently material representing apparently 
two other species has been obtained. Sapium aucuparium is the common 
“cum ”’ or “ bird-lime ”’ tree of the coastal region, and often reaches a con- 
siderable size. The leaves are usually large and have serrated edges. The 
petioles are of a reddish tinge, and the two glands at the bases of the leaves 
are large and thick, turned to the under surface of the leaves. The apex of the 
leaf is bent over to form a hooked gland, although on many leaves this distinc- 
tive character is frequently wanting. The fruits clearly show three divisions 
and are usually about half an inch in diameter. They contain three seeds 
which are covered by red arils. The seeds are about a quarter of an inch in 
diameter and are covered with tubercles. The latex of this tree is yellowish 
in colour and is very resinous. It does not coagulate readily, and the gum 
that can be obtained from this species of Sapium is only small in quantity and 
of no commercial value. 
Sapium Jenmaniis common in several districts of the colony and grows to 
considerable size. It is usually found most abundantly in forests of secondary 
growth, and would appear to be only sparsely scattered in original forest. It 
is not found on the coastal Jands of the colony. The leaves of this species 
vary considerably in size. They usually have long petioles andend in long 
bluntly-pointed apices on which there are no glands. The margins of the leaves 
are not serrated but a few marginal glands can generally be found, while the 
blades of the leaves themselves are thickly covered with smal] transparent 
glands that may readily be seen when the leaves are held up to the light. The 
petiolar glands are very small and are generally obliquely placed. The flowers 
are in terminal spikes, the male flowers being numerous and near the apices 
while the female flowers are few in number and are situated near the basal 
ends. The fruits contain only one seed each. The seeds are liberated by the 
fruits splitting open into two halves when they are ripe. The valves fall away 
and leave the seed hanging from a curved axis. 
In 1883, Mr. Jenman gave in “ Timehri ” his accounts of Sapium rubber, and 
it is generally believed that a large proportion of the rubber exported from 
the colony is obtained from this species of Sapium. The rubber when carefully 
prepared is of high quality, and experiments are now being conducted with a 
view to ascertaining what yields may be expected from this rubber-producing 
