NOTES ON GUTTA PERCHA. 59 



The mode of collecting gutta in Borneo does not materi- 

 ally differ from that described by Mr. Murton in the first 

 number of this journal. The terms Gutta Singgarip, Gutta 

 Rambong, and Gutta Taban are unknown to my informants. 



The following observations are by Mr. Burbidge : — ■ 



New Gutta- yielding Teees. 



Apparently all the Gutta or Caoutchouc-yielding trees 

 were discovered and their produce brought into use by the 

 natives of the localities in which they grow, and, the native 

 wants amply supplied, the inclination to look out sources of 

 fresh supply would of course cease ; but even since these 

 products are of considerable trade value to the collectors, 

 nothing seems to be done either to replace trees or search 

 out new gutta-yielding plants. Probably there are thou- 

 sands of tons of these known products still existing in 

 Bornean forests, but as difficulties in collecting increase 

 (by the supply being yearly further removed from the 

 markets, etc.) so will prices rise. The " Serapits " maybe 

 readily propagated by layering the stems and by seeds ; but 

 so long as the forests are uncontrolled by Europeans, it i3 

 useless to expect natives to trouble themselves in the perpe- 

 tuation of these plants, easy though it be ; nor is it likely 

 they will hunt out fresh sources of supply. Much of the 

 gutta from Java, India and Australia is the produce of a 

 species of Ficus, many species of which milk-yielding trees 

 are common in Bornean forests, and it seems to me very pro- 

 bable that some of these would yield good gutta in remuner- 

 ative quantities as the result of experiments. 



The Bornean representatives of the Bread fruit family 

 (ArtocarpsGe) should also be examined, as good gutta or 

 caoutchouc is yielded by at least one S. American species 

 belono'ino; to this order." 



POSTSCRIPT TO THE ABOVE NOTES ON 

 GUTTA, &c. 



The perusal of Mr. Treacher's very interesting and 

 valuable notes have induced me to add a little information 

 that has reached me since my last communication on this 

 subject was written. 



