Sept. 1906.] 229 Saps and Exudations. 



STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 



MARK. QUANTITY, DESCRIPTION AND PRICE PER LB. 



S.P. (in circle) 1 bag pressed scrap, 3s. 6d. bid ; 1 case fine amber sheet, 5s. 8^d 



bid ; 1 case paler 5s. 8d. bid. 

 W.P.M. 5 cases good darkish amber sheet, 5s. 8£d.; lease thick black 



crepe, 2s. 3d. 



P.R. S.B. 7 do fine darkish sheet, 5s. 8£d.; 6 cases good dark scrap, 4s. Ohd. 



G.M. S.B. 4 do fine amber sheet, 5s. 8£d. 



(V.RCo.Ltd. Klang 



F.M.S. in triangle) 20 cases fine scored sheet, 5s. 8j-d.; 4 cases good palish pressed 



crepe, 5s. I'.d.; 2 cases darkish, 4s. 2£d. 



C.R. (R.W. & Co. 



in triangle) 1 bag good rough sheet, 5s. 



S-R- & Co. lease thick palish pressed crepe, 5s. Id.; 2 cases thin, 3s. 6d-; 



5 cases darker, 5s. l^d. 



G.U.L. A. (in diamond)4 do fine thin pressed sheet, 5s. 8£d.; 1 case good pressed 



scrappy sheet, 4s. 3d. 

 P.S.E. lin diamond) 5 do fine palish amber sheet, 5s. 8£d. 



B.R.R. & Co., Ltd- 4 do fine darkish and dark amber sheet, 5s. 8£d.; 5 bags good 



cuttings, 5s. If d.; 9 cases fine scored amber sheet, 5s. 8d. 

 to 5s. 8£d.; 1 case paler, 5s. 8d.; 3 cases good pale and 

 darkish crepey sheet, 5s. 6d.; 3 bags good cuttings, Ss.Oid.; 



6 cases good darkish amber sheet, 5s. 8|cl.; 2 cases palish 

 to darkish scored sheet, 5s- 8d. 



SHIPMENTS OF PLANTATION RUBBER. 

 Exports from Colombo and Galle from 1st January to 9th July. 

 1906 ... ... ... 64£ tons. | 1904 ... ... ... 17 tons. 



1905 ... ... ... 23 „ | 1903 ... ... ... 10 



GOW, WILSON & STANTON, LTD. 



THE ZAPOTE TREE AND CHICLE GUM (ACHRAS SAPOTA). 



By A. J. Lespinasse. 



Among the numerous natural products abounding in this fertile region 

 (the Mexican canton of Tuxpam) the Zapote tree stands pre-eminent, its gum and 

 wood during many decades having formed a source of wealth to a large number 

 of individuals and corporations, native and foreign, which have obtained from the 

 State Government proprietary rights or concessions to extract chicle gum. 



The wood of the zapote tree is dark purplish red, and although exceedingly 

 hard when first cut it is easily worked until thoroughly seasoned, when only the 

 finest edged tools have any effect on its flint-like surface. Sharp pointed nails can 

 be driven into the wood only about an inch. The fibre is so dense that the wood 

 sinks rapidly in water, and will remain immersed for years without being affected 

 in the least. Zapote door frames in the ruins of Uxmal are as perfect to-day as when 

 first placed in position. The wood is susceptible of a beautiful polish. The average 

 zapote will square 5 to 8 inches and occasionally 2 feet. It is claimed that the 

 bark is employed to great advantage in tanning processes, and that leather so 

 treated is superior to other kinds. 



The magnificent trees are rapidly disappearing, as the operators are taking 

 no precautions to protect them from the destructive methods of the chicleros, who, 

 in their greed to obtain all the sap possible, cut the trees so deep that they do not 

 recover from the effects of the incisions, but gradually decay. Before the trees 

 reach this stage, and while easy to work, they are cut down and shaped into 

 building material. 



The chicle industry extends from this section as far as the extreme southern 

 portion of Yucatan, which produces the largest yield, but in quality the gum is 



