the tree has attained a considerable size, and usually before 
dowering the tree sheds a proportion of its leaves, sometimes 
becoming quite bare during the flowering season. The trees 
here flower somewhat irregularly. The fruit is produced 
some months later. It Consists of a large three-lobed capsule 
about an inch and-a-half long containing a single large seed 
in each lobe. When ripe the capsule splits explosive! v\ throw- 
ing the seeds thirty or forty yards from the tree. 
This usually takes place in the hotter part of the day. The 
seed is about an inch long, rounded on the back and flattened 
in front, silvery marbled with brown in colour, much re- 
sembling a castor-oil bean on a large scale. They are very light 
and float readily in water. They germinate usually very soon 
after planting, and do not require to be died or otherwise 
treated as Ceara rubber seed usually does, but do not retain 
their germinating powers very long, and should be planted soon 
after they are ripe. 
Culiivuiwn . — Para rubber can be raised from seed or cut- 
tings. The former is the most to be preferred. The seed is 
planted in nurseries and lightly covered with soil, and when 
about six inches high can be planted out. 
Cuttings are recommended for use in inundated spots 
where the seed might float away. They are taken from 
lateral twigs and planted in the mud so that their tops are 
above water, but they can also be grown in drier spots 
shaded at first from the sun. 
They should be made from well grown wood, and not from 
the softer tops of the branches. It is sometimes stated that 
trees from cuttings do not last, and perish in a few yeaxs. 
Fallen trees, however, throw up strong stems, which even- 
tually develop into healthy large trees, and, as it is stated that 
in South America trees are habitually grown from cuttings, 
there seems no reason why they should not be successful here. 
The soil most suited for the plant is rich and very wet, 
such land as is commonly used for sago is very suitable, and 
wet rice-fields of any damp low-lying ground will do. The tree 
will grow on drier soil, but more slowly and in a less satisfac- 
tory manner. Where the ground is liable to shift from under- 
ground currents or streams cutting the soil away, the trees, 
owing to their having no tap root, are rather liable to fall, 
and though they continue, to grow even when prostrate, they 
are much more difficult to tap. However, they are very easy 
to raise again wi h the aid of ropes, and can even when pretty 
'arge be propped up again, when they will continue to grow 
as before. 
The trees can be planted about twelve feet apart or even 
closer. They grow very straight and do not spread much un- 
less planted far apart, and the closer they are planted the 
straighter and taller they grow. When planted they require 
no further care than to keep down the brushwood and grass 
for the first year or two, after which they will draw up above 
