26 
X.—S0UDAN PRODUCTS. 
[K.B., 1899, pp. 198, 199.] 
Comparatively little is known at breed as to the available 
resources 0 e Soudan. The following preliminary account 
appears in the boari of Trade DE h or July of the presens 
year (pp. 30, 81) : — 
rubber creeper (Landolphia Jlorida) is found i usion 
If the rubber yielded by this creeper be of kon so pons a 
quality as that obtained from the Assam india-rubber tree (Ficus 
elastica), it is still of sufficient value to be counted as an im- 
portant asset in the future trade of the Soudan. This plant, 
which has large laurel-shaped leaves, and a white flower resem- 
bling a jasmine, requires several years to mature before yielding 
rubber in any quantity. The natives obtain what they require 
by tapping the stem, usually i in such a reckless manner that the 
creeper dies under the operation. ‘The Assam india-rubber tree 
annum that [^ introduction into the country is well worth 
attempting. 
XL—MADAGASCAR INDIA-RUBBER. 
[K.B., 1899, pp. 35-39.] 
Enquiries are frequently made about the ee ee 
plene e gres inel This island has long been kn 
rnish y of nido rubber to Glide. (See rau 
Bulletin," 1802. H 10 [p. 5].) Sammy hy " has been supposed 
e, 
About 1892 an immense yal adt of the rubber-trade dcn. 
place in Southern Madagascar. The following account is borr wed 
from the Zndia-rubber ‘and Gutta Percha and Electrical Trades 
Journal (Nov. 3, 1893, p. 107) :— 
The French Vice-Resident, writing from Nossi Vé (not to be 
eonfounded with Nossi Bé)— his report appearing in the Moniteur 
Officiel du Commerce of November 2nd—says :—* Caoutchouc has 
ei, a biarr caoutchouc fever has raged with erorien 
especially the natives. Everything has been neglected for the 
rich product, leading -to- great modifieations in wages, in the 
nt of workers, and in the prices of food and goods, &c. 
But the opoo of caoutchouc has been carried out with 
veritable vandalism ; the trees and shrubs producing it have been 
