44 



Micrandra siphonoides\ is obtained from the far in- 

 terior of Brazil. It is believed to be a fine grade rubber 

 but native collectors mix the latex with that of Hevea and 

 consequently very little is known of its actual value. 



Sapium is a genus extending over all the rubber grow- 

 ing districts of Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and British 

 Guiana There are a few species containing latex which is 

 used in Brazil for mixing with the latex of Hevea. Sa- 

 pium biglandulosum — the most common species of Brazil 

 has been reported on at different times and its rejection as 

 a commercial rubber has led to some confusion as to the 

 value of other species; particularly, Sapium Jenmani — 

 (Touckpong) a native of Guiana and extending to Vene- 

 zuela and N. Brazil. This plant supplies a high grade 

 rubber but a chemical analysis had not been published at 

 the time of the exhibition. It is anticipated that its cul- 

 tivation will be taken up extensively in different parts of 

 the West Indies, seedling plants, however, compared with 

 the robust 8. biglandulosum did not impress me as possess- 

 ing the constitution of a vigorous growing tree for plan- 

 tations. Other species of value are 8. utile (Palo de leche) 

 from Ecuador and Peru, and 8. verum (Virgin caucho) 

 from Colombia. Price variable, about 3/2 against 4/6 for 

 fine, hard Para. 



Moraceae. 



Ficus is an extensive old world genus but only a few 

 of the many species produce rubber of commercial value. 

 Fiats elastic a (Rambong or Assam rubber) is the most 

 valuable species and is now cultivated in India, Ceylon, 

 British Malaya, Java, and Sumatra, but not so extensively 

 as was expected a few years ago — possibly due to the 

 higher price obtained for Para rubber and its most regular 

 yield of latex. This Ficus is one of the earliest known of 

 Asiatic rubbers and was first brought to notice by Dr. 

 Roxburgh over a century ago. In a wild state the plant is 

 epiphytic, growing on other trees or rocks, and appears as 

 a small crown or crest of short branches on long rambling 

 aerial roots. Under cultivation it is grown as an arbores- 

 cent tree and developes stout lateral branches and a con- 

 sec juent larger area of bark for tapping. On some estates 

 in the Netherlands the aerial roots are pruned off and the 

 tree is cultivated as a standard, i.e., a bushy crown and 

 large main stem. Its habitat extends from the Sikkim 



t Micrandra siphonoidcs Hevea sp, but is regarded as distinct by the 

 Seriu^uieros of Brazil. 



