391 



then be combed with a fine comb, but as Banana fibre is too long for 

 this, it is not possible to do this with it. 



Then taking the bundle, tie it across in two or three places, if 

 of Banana fibre, half its length, if of aloe or Sanseviera. A weight is 

 then tied to the base of the bundle, to prevent the fibres getting 

 twisted together during the work. The spinner is supplied with a 

 basket and a bowl of rice water, i.e. water in which rice has been 

 boiled. The bundle of thread and bowl are put on the right, the 

 basket on the left. She takes two or three threads dipping the thumb 

 and first finger in the rice water and twists the ends together, draw- 

 ing them two fibres across the right knee. The thread is then curled 

 round in the basket to dry in similar manner the free end is 

 joined to another thread. The Chinese women and girls are so ac- 

 customed to this work that it only takes a few seconds to join the 

 fibres. The threads then formed are put on the spindles as is done 

 with cotton, 



H. N. R. 



GETAH GERIP FROM PULAU JERAJAH. 



During last year Dr. Mugliston, Senior Medical Officer, Penang 

 reported to the President Councillor there that he had prepared sam- 

 ples of a Rubber obtained from Rubber-vines growing on Pulau Jera- 

 jah, the leper Island, near Penang and that some Penang buyers re- 

 garded the samples as Rubber of the first quality. 



By direction of the Resident Councillor I visited the Island and 

 was shewn a vine then in flower which proved to be Willughbeia firma, 

 the well known "getah gerip." 



From the several incisions I obtained a small quantity of latex 

 but this failed to coagulate with the only agent I had with me viz., 

 acetic acid. (I understood Dr. Mugliston coagulated his samples by 

 raising the temperature of the latex. The latex exuded much quicker 

 from the blow of a large heavy knife than from an ordinary tapping 

 instrument, and runs off fairly clean, leaving very little latex to coagu- 

 late on the bark (practically nil). 



I was told there were several vines on this little Island. What I 

 saw did not exceed 3i inches in diameter and I was not fortunate 

 enough to find any seedlings which it was suggested might be abundant. 

 It is however interesting to record an isolated place where the plants 

 are not likely to be exploited. 



Dr. MuglistonV samples were prepared in biscuits, cups, and 

 lumps. These were exhibited at the Kuala Kangsar show last year 

 without success, in the class for Jungle Rubbers. Subsequently through 

 the kindness of the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew, the following 

 report was obtained from Messrs. Lewis & Peat. 



