49 



rectangular frames of uniform size, which allows greater economy 

 of space in storing and shipping. Formerly, the weight of the chicle 

 masses and blocks varied as much as their shape, and blocks weigh- 

 ing as much as a hundred pounds were not uncommon. At present, 

 however, they are usually more uniform in weight, varying from 

 twenty-five to forty pounds. At the time of molding the chicle con- 

 tains approximately forty to fifty per cent water, but by the time it 

 is shipped to the States, the moisture content varies from twenty- 

 five to thirty-five per cent. 



As soon as the chicleros have accumulated a fair number of 

 blocks, the chicle is delivered to the contractors who advanced the 

 money for rations and supplies. In more organized chicle operations 

 the contractors generally send out pack mules periodically to the 

 various chiclero camps to collect the accumulated chicle. It is then 

 concentrated in central camps, baled and transported by mule, boat 

 or aeroplane to storehouses along the coast, and eventually shipped 

 to the United States or Canada. 



Attempts have also been made from time to time to extract chicle 

 profitably from the leaves and green fruit, but without much suc- 

 cess. It is estimated (Anonymous, 1923) that approximately 3200 

 leaves are required for a pound of gum, and the cost of production 

 at that rate is in excess of the present price of chicle. 



{To be continued) 



Rare Gladoniae in New Jersey 



W. L. Dix 



Cladonia squamosa f. carneopallida Sandstede. This specimen 

 was collected by the writer a few miles east of Jackson, Camden 

 County. It was first collected in America near Hartford, Connecti- 

 cut, and reported by Dr. Alexander W. Evans in his third supple- 

 ment to the Cladoniae of Connecticut. 



Cladonia pyxidata var. neglecta f. centralis Schaer. In this form 

 the cup is centrally proliferate. It was collected near Hopewell in 

 Mercer County. Apparently this is the first account of this form in 

 America. 



The second authenticated collection of Cladonia turgida in New 

 Jersey was made by the writer along the Appalachian Trail in War- 



