199 
discovered in the Blue 2e forests ed can be floated down the 
river to Egypt, a large source of revenue will undoubtedly have 
een foun Extensive dini might be erected at Assouan, 
utilising the power available at the dam, n nder construc- 
e m, now u 
ion, and an important timber trade might one day arise. - 
n the White Nile, in the Bongo and Rohl districts, the 
india-rubber creeper (Landolphia florida) is found eat 
profusion. If the rubber yielded by this creeper be not of quite 
tree (Ficus elastica), it is still of sufficient value to be counted 
as an important asset in the future trade of the Soudan. This 
plant, which has large Jie an ed leaves, and a white flower 
resembling a jasmine, requires several m to mature before 
yielding rubber in any quantity. The natives obtain what they 
permit of ee tapping, its yield is so valuable (about 3/. 
per tree per annum) that its introduction into the country is 
Itis very much to be hoped that a — examination of 
the vam forests Sega ere long be c carried out under the super- 
n expert n In 
render good s e by advising the Government as to the best 
method p Diese the valable fuel supply which at present 
exists on the banks of both rivers. This supply, although 
pparently inexhaustible, must "gpeedily diminish, unless the 
eutting and felling of the areas is carried out upon some sees 
8 i i it o ey 
replaciug those cut down. It is, of course, inevitable at pre- 
sent that the felling should be carried out in a wasteful manner. 
Fatigue parties are landed from the boats, and are required to 
cut be a C amount of wood in the shortest possible time. 
The n have no idea of the value of the trees, and naturally 
delest those which are nearest to the water and easiest cut. 
Should this practice be continued, it is certain that a few years 
must see a great diminution in the belt adjacent to the river. 
On the Blue Nile even the valuable gum-producing acacias are 
being felled for fuel.” 
Cochin China Gutta-Percha.—Enquiries having been made as to 
oan product and the plant producing ' it, the following = is 
roduced from th Kos Repent or 1881 (pp. 45, 4 
er L. Pierre, [late] Director of the Botanic Garden, Saigon, 
gives in the Excursions eat E un ii. = published by 
the French Colonial Government at Saigon resting account 
of the gutta-percha desvod from Dichopsis. ee Pierre in 
