194 



CAOUTCHOUC TREE OF ASSAM 



the growth of parts in an ascending direction. Its aspect is pictur- 

 esque and varied, occasionally putting on the appearance of sculpture. 

 It is, I think, doubtful whether this as well as some other species of 

 the genus are not to be considered as genuine parasites, at any rate 

 they generally cause the destruction of the tree on which they 

 originally grew. If this be the case the parasitism is the reverse of 

 that which occurs in Cuscuta, in which the plantule draws its first 

 nourishment from the earth, relinquishing this when sufficiently 

 developed to enable it to draw its supply from other plants. I may 

 here observe, that parasites are common on the peepul, contrary to 

 the statement of M. DeCandolle. 



The destruction of the foster-mother takes place by the mutual 

 interlacement of the roots, which descending irregularly, form at first 

 a strong net-work, subsequently becoming a cylindric binding, in the 

 strongest possible way to the trunk, and preventing all lateral distinc- 

 tion. The hollow occupied by the trunk when dead may become 

 filled up, when this has passed away, by other roots. The adhesion 

 of the roots commences by abrasion of the bark, the union subse- 

 quently becomes of the most intimate kind. The supports are per- 

 fectly cylindrical ; they become conical only towards the earth, on 

 approaching which they divide into roots : they are strictly descend- 

 ing growths, and as such, under ordinary circumstances, they never 

 produce leaves, etc. Roots likewise issue from every section of the 

 bark of sufficient depth to reach the outer layer of wood, with the 

 outer fibres of which they are obviously continuous. To such an extent 

 is this carried, that transverse sections of young supports assume 

 the appearance of coarse paint-brushes or tails. The lenticells, 

 which are very numerous, have nothing whatever to do with their 

 production ; if the bark remains entire, no roots are thrown out except 

 by division of the apex. The branches ascend obliquely, the outer- 

 most running nearly horizontally. 



The juice is obtained from the larger ; that from young parts is less 

 thick: an exposed semi-denuded root, is selected for transverse incisions 

 through the bark, from which alone the juice flows, a small hole is 

 made in the ground immediately beneath the incised parts into which 

 a leaf, generally of Phrynium capitatum is placed : it is collected in 

 this simple manner in a very clean state, far more so than that 

 which can be collected from the tree in any other situation. On 

 issuing, it is of a very rich pure white ; if good, of the consistence 

 of cream : its excellence is known by the degree of consistence, and 



