173 
clastic, acting on the proteins in the rubber, and rendering 
them immediately available for the fungi. The fact that the 
majority of fungi fall in the two genera mentioned above 
supports the view that these fungi are probably rich in 
enzymes. 
The spottings can be prevented by adding 1 part of formalin 
to. 8co parts of latex, the formalin inhibiting the development 
of the spores, so that the rubber is dry before the fungus has 
enough time to produce visible spots. Sodium bisulphite ‘s 
also useful as a preventive, probably due to its influence in 
inhibiting enzyme action. 
Latex diluted with water results in rubber with a greater 
tendency to spotting. The results obtained in this connecticn 
are concordant with the experience of many planters troubled 
with spotting. 
External inoculation after preparation can only take place 
under extraordinary conditions of retardation of the drying 
period. Under ordinary conditions of drying there is no 
danger to be anticipated from spores falling on the surface of 
the rubber after preparation. 
THE PREPARATION OF PLANTATION PARA RUBBER. 
By B. J. Eaton, 
Agricultural Chemist, Federated Malay States. 
[No abstract supplied by the author.] 
TERMES GESTRO/ AS A PEST OF THE PARA RUBBER 
TREE. 
By H. C. Prarr, 
Government Entomologist, Federated Malay States. 
[No abstract supplied by the author. ] 
INCREASING THE YIELD OF FUNTUMIA BY THE SPARANO 
TAPPING METHOD IN THE BELGIAN CONGO. 
By M. GISSELEIRE, 
Colonial Office, Brussels. 
[ ABSTRACT. | 
The plantations of Funtumia elastica, the Ireh or Lagos 
rubber tree, have given, as a rule, unsatisfactory results, the 
yield being much smaller than that obtained from Hevea. 
