. 577 



Natal (19U) 



pel .1. Latex of Euphorbia TirncalU from rsatal (l'J14) was 

 found to contain 15-7 per cent, of caoutchouc and 82-1 per cent, 

 of resin in the dry material (Col. Rep. Ann. No. 882, 1916, p. 20). 

 The percentage of caoutchouc in the latex is given as only 4 per 

 cent, the remainder being chiefly resinous matter (India Rubber 

 Journ. June 15th, 1912, p. 6). 



In 1911 it was reported (Cons. Rep. Ann. No. 4903, 1912, 

 p. 4) "Almeidina" to the amount of 23,390 kilos,— value 

 2,339 milreis— was shipi^ed from Mossamedes, Angola to Portugal. 

 This product has also been known as " Potato Gum." Euphorbia 

 extract obtained from Southern Nigeria was reported (Col. Rep. 



Misc. No. 82. 1912. n 4S>n oTi na I'ocf^rviVwKr.nr " Al^^^:j:„„ »» ' 



at about 3(7. per lb. It consisted chiefly of resins (67-6 per cent.) 

 and caoutchouc (23-6 per cent.) the latter of poor quahty A 

 sample of " Egga Gutta " and of " Potato Gutta " received at 

 Kew from the Royal Niger Co. in 1890 probably both belong to 

 this species. 



The wood is moderately hard, strong and tough, not attacked 

 by white ants, used for rafters and for making toys in India, 

 <Talbot, For. Fl. Bombay, ii. p. 435). The wood weighs 34 lb' 

 per cubic ft. (Gamble, Man. Ind. Timb. p. 591). 



The plant may be readily propagated by strong cuttings and 



once estabHshed would soon become naturalised otherwise 



difficult to kill in a suitable nlimntp— hot and comparatively dry. 



Planted at distances of 15-20 ft.— the tree as before mentioned 

 reaching a height of 20 ft. and upwards— would allow for full 

 development or for fences 2 or 3 ft., approximately, would be 

 sufficient. It is stated that two htres of the latex give a pound 

 of " rubber," and that 5 lb. of " rubber " may be obtained from a 

 tree six years' old (Bull. Bur. Agric. Intellig. Rome, Jan. 1911, 

 p. 135 ; from " Una valiosa planta de caucho " in Fl Ha opn rl n r l r^ 



Me 



yield 



In the hot valleys of Natal 



twice 



ou oa. per ID. m i^onaon) and tappmg is recommended on 

 df herring-bone system on one quarter of the circumference, 

 weekly for healthy well grown trees. Coagulation of the 

 laiex is effected in about 24 hours by means of a solution of 

 tannin or a mixture of tannin and hydrochloric acid (Noyes, 

 Agric. Journ. Union S. Air. v. 1913, p. 706). There is a fine 

 specimen of this plant in the Succulent House at Kew that has 



to be topped periodically to prevent its gro^nng through the 

 roof. 



^e/.— " Almeidina : Euphorbia Tirucalli" in Revue des Cult. 

 Coloniales, viii. 1901, p. 347. " Almeidina or Potato Gum. 



Diplomatic & Cons. Rep. Ann. No. 3478, 1905, p. 4. " Report 



from 



Agric. Journ. v. 1907, pp. 528-530. " Euphorbia Tirucalli " 



in ^Notizblatt Bot. Gard. Berlin, No. 45, 18th Nov., 1909, pp. 

 117-118. -"Euphorbia Latices " from Nyasaland, Transvaal, 



