236 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
4, India-rubber or Caoutchouc of Upper Burmah.—The esti- 
mated number of trees, which are chiefly situated in the Bhamo 
and Mogoung districts, is 400,000. They thrive best in damp, 
moist soil, and in thick forests, shady and cool. The trees attain 
to a height of from 50 to 100 cubits, being from 15 to 20 cubits in 
girth at the base (full-grown trees) and with roots creeping over 
the ground for some distance. They are fit for tapping when from 
6 to 10 years of age, at which time they are from 15 to 20 cubits 
in height and 3 cubits in girth. 
When the time for tapping arrives, incisions are made in the 
trunks of the trees and in the roots above ground. Hollow bam- 
allowed to heal. At the expiration of another month the trees 
have regained strength, and tapping is re-commenced. : 
In preparing the India-rubber the following crude method 1s 
observed. 
ployed in tapping the trees and preparing the juice. Some a 
viss of India-rubber was brought from Mogoung last year. I i 
0 cart-loads of it entering the palace one a 
Upper Burmah could produce 2 or 300 tons of this useful substance 
per annum.—Jé¢d. 
5. The Lalande Medal to Prof. Watson, August 1a 
James C. Watson, of the University of Michigan, who has ise! 
of the Observatory at Ann Arbor, has received a gold medal 
awarded him by the Institute of France for valuable astronomical 
discoveries. The Ann Arbor Register gives a description igh 
B: e 
Director of the Mint as to its fineness and weight, as well as ree 
franes in bills of the Bank of France, being the unexpende 
