3 86 



This tree has two stems, the fork commencing at three and a 

 half feet trom the ground consequently the measurements recorded 

 were taken at three feet from the ground, below the point of bifur- 

 cation. The largest of the two stems measures at five feet from 

 the ground 44 inches, and the smaller one 34 inches. Since De- 

 cember, 1900, growth has been slow the present circumference of 

 the main stem being only 68 inches ; that is an increase of only two 

 inches in a year and a half. It is probable that under existing cir- 

 cumstances this tree has almost attained its maximum size. One 

 hundred such trees could be grown to the acre without being too 

 crowded. Another tapping will be made in the course of a few 

 weeks the result of which will be published in due course. 



C. CURTIS, 



Asst. Superintendent of Forests. 



PICUS BRACTEATA. 



I have received from Mr. Bland, the Resident Councillor of 

 Malacca, specimens of the leaves and fruits, of a large Fig tree, 

 Ficus bracteata, together with a sample of rubber obtained from it. 

 He imforms me that the Malay call it Getah Taban Rembah. 



The plant is usually more of a large shrub than a tree with stout 

 spreading branches, closely set with broad raised leafscars. The 

 leaves are oblong cuspidate with a broad almost belobed base. 

 They are about 7 inches long and 4 inches wide leathery dark 

 smooth green above, and covered beneath especially on the nerves 

 and mid rib with soft red fur. The nerves beneath about 8 pairs 

 are very prominent. 



The leaf-stalk is about an inch or 2 inches long, covered with 

 red fur when young which soon rubs off. The figs are densely 

 packed at the ends of the branches, with large lanceolate cuspidate 

 bracts an inch and a-half long brown and especially at the bases 

 covered with red fur. The figs also surrounded with red fur are 

 globular, dark reddish brown with lighter spots, about half an inch 

 long. 



The rubber sent with the specimens is of a light flesh colour, 

 compact hardly elastic, but soft. It becomes softer in hot water, 

 but is not as putty-like as Jelutong rubber. In colour it certainly 

 resembles Gutta percha sufficiently at least to be used as an adul- 

 terant, but alone it could hardly be mistaken for it. 



Ficus bracteata, Wallich, occurs in Singapore, Malacca, Selangor 

 or Perak and also in Java, I can find no record of any rubber 

 having been obtained from it before. 



H. N. R. 



A COFFEE-BEAN PEST. 



I received from Mr. A. BRUNNER, of Sumatra lately a sample of 

 coffee bean seriously damaged by a small beetle, which burrowed 



