43 
Key, who throughout has taken a warm interest in the subject, 
forwarded here a bottle of latex for the purpose of determining 
the commercial value of the rubber. 
3. The report of the India-rubber, Gutta-percha, and Telegraph 
Company of Silvertown, obtained through S. W. Silver, Esq., 
.L.S., proves that this native rubber of Jamaica is of high in- 
dustrial value, and it might give rise to an important local industry 
if it were found possible to increase the plant by cultivation and 
to pursue the subject in á systematic manner. 
n this latter point the Government of Jamaica will, no 
doubt, consult Mr. Fawcett, Director of the Botanical Department. 
5. The supply of india-rubber as a forest product is destined to 
fall far short of the supply, and under these circumstances the 
of information as regards a native rubber plant which stands so 
high in intrinsic value. Various samples of commercial rubber 
manufactured from the Jamaica plant are enclosed. 
I am, &c., 
Edward Wingfield, Esq., (Signed) D. MORRIS. 
Colonial Office. 
[Enclosure. ] 
INDIA-RUBBER, GUTTA-PERCHA, AND TELEGRAPH WORKS 
COMPANY to ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
Silvertown, London, E., 
17th October, 1888. . 
The sample received with letter from Kew, dated 12th Septem- 
ber, 1888, consisted of a lactescent juice partially coagulated, with 
a strongly acid reaction. Fortunately it was contained in a stout 
glass bottle, about 10 ounces capacity. 
The portion which had coagulated in the bottle could be 
removed only by fracturing the same. It was rinsed out so 
as to free it from adherent non-solidified milk, &c., and treated 
subsequently by itself. It will be referred to hereafter as A. 
The non-coagulated portion was mixed with about twice its 
volume of water, with about an ounce (fluid measure) ordinary 
acetic acid, British Pharmacopoeia strength, &c. After a few days’ 
exposure the coagulum rose to the surface in a fairly coherent 
form, and was collected and squeezed. This portion will be 
referred to hereafter as B. 
The residual liquid was evaporated to complete dryness (and 
yielded less than half-ounce of solid, princi 
or sap of the tree; the aqueous portion evaporates during the 
“process of coagulation. It is doubtful whether the juice of the 
Forsteronia floribunda could with advantage be treated in this 
