CAODTdHOUC AND ITS ALLIES. l85 



in tlie present condition of the forests and plantations, is only about 

 10 lbs. per tree. 



The trees require at least one year's rest between two tappings, 

 otherwise they decline in health and may even die. Gamble recom- 

 mends a rest of two years. 



The total exports of India-rubber from and through Assam 

 amounted, in round numbers, to 7,500 lbs. in 1887-88, of which 

 1,000 lbs. came from Bhutan and other tracts inhabited by hill 

 tribes. The price of the rubber at Calcutta fluctuates considerably, 

 but the average may be taken at Rs. 80 per maund, or very nearly 

 Re. 1 per lb. 



Gutta-percha is closely related to caoutchouc. The tree that 

 yields the gutta-percha of commerce, Dichopsis Gutta (one of the 

 Sapotaeese) is not a native of India ; but one Indian species, D. 

 polyantha, yields a very good article, quite capable of exploitation. 

 Mr. B. F. DaCosta claims to have discovered in the latex of Eu- 

 phorbia-nerii folia a substance having the properties of gutta-percha 

 and capable of being substituted for it. 



2 s 



