286 



INDUSTRIAL PLANTS 



may be extractetl from the leaves by using solvents. In 

 separating the solid from the liquid part of the milk obtained 

 by tapping no special means are necessary. A hard "curd" 

 soon forms. After removal of the worst impurities (some- 

 times facilitated by boiling) the raw material is pressed into 

 cakes or lumps and is then ready for export. 



KiG. 272. — Ta[)iin-l,r('o {Palaqutuin (jutta, Saiiotlilla l''aiiiily, Sapotaccir). 

 A, flowiTinK twig. B, ynunc fruit. (.', flower. D, ripe fruit. E, F, 

 seed. (Burelc.) — Tree 13 ni. tall; leave.s rusty-hairy beneath; flowers 

 white; fruit fieshy. Native home, Malaj'sia. 



The general use of gutta-percha tlates only from about the 

 middle of the 19th century. It was first brought prominently 

 into notice by Dr. W. Montgomerie, an English surgeon 

 stationed a.t Singajiore. He found the natives using this 

 extraordiuiiry material for ax handles, sword hilts, antl the 

 like. This suggested to him important uses for it in surgery 



