:35 
ground, incisions of 6 in. x 2 in. are made at distances of from 
6 to 8 ft. apart, under these incisions vessels are placed to receive 
the milk, which easily and readily coagulates, and is then balled 
or wound up. This kind of rubber has no water whatever in it. 
The species of Ficus noticed are several, but owing to the 
insignificance and inferiority of its rubber (specimens have been 
sent to England and seien d at a very low price) we did not 
ee these to 
n whole we are compelled to say that the Government 
was rather too late in taking up this matter, and that unless our 
olony 
only three days off Benin) which, we understood, is the limit of 
our Protectorate on that side. 
* * * E 
We have, &c., 
(Signed) EOR meg 
T. B. Daw 
Foie Curators. 
EXTRACT from LAGOS ANNUAL REPORT for 1897. 
* As was anticipated, the falling off in the production of rubber, 
due to the reckless way in which it was collected, has come to 
pass, the amount shipped in 1897 being 4,458,327 lbs. as against 
6,484,365 lbs. in 1896. It is early to talk pessimistically of the 
x extinction of the industry,’ inasmuch as the opening up of fresh 
country to peaceful commerce cannot fail to revive the production. 
At the same time the greed and guile of the small minority that 
collects and adulterates she coupled with the apathy of the 
large majority that only looks on, must inevitably deal a severe 
blow to the trade. Steps are, however, being taken to encourage 
ubbe l 
the native chiefs to have the rubber collected in a thrifty and 
systematic ma nner, wie it is hoped, will show good results in 
the near future ” (pp. 6 ; 1). 
DCXLIL—MADAGASCAR INDIA-RUBBER. 
Enquiries are frequently made about the Zi eit ab igen 
plants of Madagascar. This island has long be 
ondibieuspty ot of pera gee to Near gains (See Kew Bulletin, 
2 70.) Hitherto it has b upposed to be yielded 
exclusively by species of re the “pubber-vines” which 
are so widely distributed in Tropical Africa. Within the last few 
years it has been obtained, and apparently in abundance, from a 
En of other plants. 
