7 



In smoking india-rubber, any plant may be used which yields acetic acid, but any plant yielding tur- 

 pentine or similar products should be avoided. 



The preservative action of the crude acid is enhanced by creosote and tarry matter present. Para 

 rubbar ie flavoured with these. 



While forming a favourable opinion of this gum, we cannot fix a value upon it, as everything will 

 depend upon how far tha experimental working can be verified in working on a larger quantity. As & 

 tupply of this is at present available, we would suggest that a larger quantity be sent over, say 100 pounds, 

 •o that we could test it in a practical manner, nnd thus give a better opinion as to its commercial value. 

 We may observe that it i3 always more difficult to give a fair result on such small quantities, and it is 

 therefore the more important that a supply sufficient for practical use should be sent. 



India Rubber, Gutta Percha, and 



Telegraph Works Co. (Limited), Silvertown. 



The results of the inquiry and the suggestions offered by this establishment are contained in the fol- 

 lowing letter addressed to the Colonial Othce for communication to the Government of Lagos : 



Royal Gardens, Kew, to Colonial Office. 



Royal Gardens, Kew, September 11, 1888. 



Sir, 



I am desired by Mr. Thiselton Dyer to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th June last 

 forwarding pepers and specimens from the Government of Lagos, relative to some experiments which had 

 been made by Mr. A. Millson on the preparation of rubber from the Abba tree. 



From the botanical opecimens forwarded by Mr. Millson, Professor Oliver has arrived at the conclu- 

 sion that this particular " Abba" tree is probably Ficus Vogelii, Miq , a West African rubber tree first 

 collected by Vogel at Grand Bassa. This determination, however, owing to the character of the speci- 

 mens, is not quite conclusive. It is very desirable that a full oet of material be sent in all cases of this 

 kind, which should contain young terminal shoots, as '.rell as, portions of the branches, leaves, flowers, 

 &nd fruits. 



The various samples of rubber as received were forwarded, through S. W. Silver, Esq., F.L.S., to the 

 IndiaRubber, Guttapercha, and Telegraph Company (Limitad) at Silvertown. The samples have received 

 a very careful and exhaustive examination at their hands, and we have received from Mr. Silver a full 

 report, a copy of which is herewith enclosed. 



It ia necessary in the first place to point out that rubber from the Abba tree similar to that under 

 notice has already been investigated at this establishment. In the Eew Report for the year 1878, p. 39, 

 a notice r.ppears of Liberian rubber, which was identified with Ficus (Urostigma) Vogelii. This rubber, 

 a o&mple of which is in the Ksw Museums (from Mr. Thomas Christy) is made up into balls about the 

 •ire of a large orange. It was valued (in 1873) at Is. 6d. per pound, but it is added that u if sent home 

 cleaner it would command a higher price." 



It will be noticed that in the report furnished by the India Rubber, Gutta Percha, and Telegraph. 

 Works Company it is stated that the specimens received from Mr. Millson show an alkaline reaction and 

 that on this and other grounds, such- as the presence of resin and its sott clammy condition, " it can evi- 

 dently not be used by itself in eny form." 



Mr. Miileen'a experiments are evidently based on hi3 knowledge and experience of Central American 

 rubber the produce of Castilloa elastica. It is probable, however, that the treatment suitable to the juice 

 of this plant cannot be applied to another plant the juice of which, although containing caoutchouc, has 

 very marked chemical differences. 



The result of the inquiry so carefully conducted by the India Rubber Company would appear to show 

 that the juice of Ficus Vogelii doe3 not lend itself satisfactorily to such treatment. It is said that the 

 rubber hitherto prepared from this tree has been treated with acetic acid, and if this is the case, possibly 

 in this din ction may be found a rotation of the problems involved. 



It is desirable in any future experiments carried on with india-rubber on the West Coast that larger 

 samples be forwarded to this country for the purpose of testing the quality. In the report it is stated 

 that about 100 pounds is necessary to test rubber in a thoroughly practical manner 



In order to afford every informal ion 1o the Government of Lagos in its praiseworthy efforts to develop 

 ♦he rubber industry of the colony there is forwarded herewith a parcel containing samples of "Abba" 

 rubber in different stages of manufacture, together with specimens of commercial Para* and Accra rub- 

 bers now in large demand in this country. 



If the experiments are continued, as it is hoped they will be, and if the valuable suggestions contained 

 in the report are carefully carried ou*, it is pretty clear that Mr. Millson will be able to discover a practical 

 and efficient method of preparing the juice of the Abba tree so as to produce commercial rubber. 



There are few subjects at the present time of greater importance than a careful investigation of 

 caoutchouc plants, and the extensive distribution of Abba trees in the West Africa indicates a wide and 

 useful field of inquiry. 



I am &c, 



(Signed) D. Morris. 



Sir R. G. W. Herbert, K.C.B., Colonial Office. 



Mr. Alvan Millson to Royal Gardens Kew. 



Badagry, West Africa, August 16, 1888. 

 Your letter of the 4th ultimo reached me yesterday. I regret that the samples of rubber sent by 

 me were — owing to the difficulty of obtaining pure milk — both small and of inferior quality to those which. 



* Para rubber is yielded by Hevea brasiliensis and Accra rubber by Landolphia owarieruis. 



