INDIA-EUBBER OR CAOUTCHOUC. 25 



Lours, and tlien the rubber is taken out, when it will be found 

 ready for shipment. If one could only induce the natives to 

 collect the milk, a large trade might be done ; but they are 

 intolerably lazy, and do not care to attempt a new trade." 



The report upon this rubber from the India-Rubber, 

 Gutta-Percha, and Telegraph Works Company at Silver- 

 town, dated March 20th, 1890, was fairly satisfactory. 

 With a careful system of collecting and preparation from 

 the plant, it is anticipated that the rubber may become a 

 useful addition to our African supplies. 



Regarding the growth of the plant, and the probability 

 of its increased cultivation, it is stated in the Keiu Bulletin 

 that " the Abba trees of West Africa are widely distributed, 

 and are generally used as shade-trees in market places, 

 streets, and compounds. They can be propagated by ' the 

 simple method of cutting off the branch and pushing it 

 into the ground ; and on account of the facility and rapidity 

 with which it grows, the natives use it largely for fence 

 posts.' " It is further stated : " From the trees already in 

 full growth in the bush and towns, a considerable export 

 trade could be rapidly established, and systematic planting 

 would develop the trade to almost an unlimited extent." 



Macwareieballi, oe Demeeara Rubber (Forsteronia 

 gracilis). — This was first brought to notice in the JKew 

 BulUtin, No. 15, for March, 1888, and is the produce of a 

 large twining plant belonging to the natural order Apocy- 

 nacese. From a report on this rubber obtained from the 

 India-rubber, Gutta-percha, and Telegraph Works Company 

 at Silvertown, by the Kew authorities, it would seem that 

 if the substance can be obtained in any quantity it may 

 eventually become a commercial article. 



Jamaica Rubber {Forsteronia floribunda). — An allied 

 plant to the former, and having a similar habit; it is confined 

 to the Island of Jamaica, where it is known as Milk Wythe 

 or MUk Vine. The rubber was first brought to notice iu 



