149 
1878, p. 39, a notice appears of Liberian rubber, which w 
identified with Ficus roams) Vogelii. Thisr ubber, a maple 
of which is in the Kew Museums den Mr. Thomas Christy) is 
made up into balls about oa size of a large orange. It was valued 
(in 1878) at 1s. 6d. per pound, but it is added that “if sent home 
cleaner it maeh command a higher price. 
It will be noticed that in the report furnished by the India 
Rubber, Gutta Percha and Telegraph Works Company it is stated 
that the specimens received from Mr. Millson show an alkaline 
reaction, and that on this and other grounds, such as the presence 
of resin and its soft d eondition, *it can evidently not be 
used by itself in any for 
Mr. Millson's experiments are evidently based 2n Ls knowledge. 
and experience of Central American rubber the produce o 
Castilloa elastica. It is possible, however, Qt z" treatment 
suitable to the juice of this plant cannot be applied to another 
pl ant the juice of which, although containing caoutchouc, has very 
arked chemical differences. 
The result of the TL so carefully conducted by the India- 
rubber Company wo appear to show that the juice of Ficus 
Vogelii does not cda itself satisfactorily to such treatment. It is 
said that the rubber hitherto prepared from this tree has been 
treated with acetic acid, and, if this is the case, possibly in this 
direction may be found a solution of the problems involved. 
It is desirable in any future experiments carried on with india- 
rubber on the West Coast that larger samples be forwarded to this 
country for the purpose of testing the quality. In the report it is 
stated that about 100 miri is necessary to test rubber in a 
thoroughly practical manner 
In order to afford every information to the Government of 
now in large demand in this country. 
If the experiments are continued, as it i hoped they will be, 
and if the valuable suggestions contained in the report are care- 
fully carried out, it is pretty clear that Mr. Millson will be able to 
discover a practical and efficient method of preparing the juice of 
the Abba tree so » to produce commercial rubber. 
There are few subjects at the present time of greater importance 
than a careful investigation of caoutchouc plants, and the NNUS i 
distribution of Abba trees in West Africa indicates a wide a 
useful field of inquiry. 
, &c. 
(Signed) D. MORRIS. 
Sir R. G. W. Herbert, K.C.B., 
Colonial Office. 
* Para rubber is yielded by Hevea brasiliensis and Accra rubber by Landolphia 
