MUDAR, OR YERCUM CAOUTCHOUC. 307 
leprosy and other cutaneous affections, and are no doubt pos- 
sessed of active properties. Dr. Duncan obtained from it a 
principle which he called Mudarine. In Arabic authors on 
Materia Medica it is even supposed to have been known to the 
Greeks. It has long been famous for yielding a kind of 
Manna, which is called Sukkur-al-ashur, and Ak or Mudar 
ke shukur (sugar). (‘ Himal. Bot., p. 275.) Lately its milky 
juice has been collected by making incisions into the plant, 
and prepared as a substitute for Caoutchouc and Gutta 
Percha. (v. ‘Journ. of the Agri-Hortic. Soc. of India,’ viii, 
pp: 107 and 226.) Dr. Riddel calculated that ten average- 
sized plants will yield as much jutce as will make a pound of 
Gutta-Percha-like substance. This is evaporated in a shallow 
dish, either in the sun or in the shade; when dry, it may be 
worked up in hot water with a wooden kneader, as this process 
removes the acridity of the gum. It becomes immediately 
flexible in hot water, but is said to become hard in cold water, 
and is soluble in oil of turpentine, takes impressions, and will 
no doubt prove a valuable product, either alone or mixed with 
other substances. 
Mr. Moncton, C.8., has proposed making use of the downy 
substance contained in the follicles of the Mudar; and, indeed, 
has had paper made of it, as well pure as when mixed with 
two fifths of the pulp of the Hemp (Sunn?), such as the 
natives use for making paper. As the glossy and silky, but 
comparatively short fibre, is difficult to spin, a mixture of one 
fifth of cotton was made, in order to enable it to be worked. 
A good wearing cloth, which stands washing and takes a dye, 
was produced. It is, however, well suited for stuffing pillows 
or coverlets. Mr. Moncton calculated that its cost would 
be one rupee a maund. This silky down of the pods is used by 
the natives on the Madras side in making a soft, cotton-like 
thread. 
The Mudar, Mr. Moncton observes, grows all over India ; 
it seems to thrive on soils that either reject or destroy every- 
thing else. It is difficult to conceive anything less productive 
than dry sand, and yet the Mudar thrives in it. Should its 
cotton be found useful, the waste lands of India could be covered 
With it, as it requires no culfure and no water. It comes to 
maturity in a year, but is perennial; and when once planted 
