129 
obtained from the leaves by extraction with solvents when the pro- 
cess is carried out on the spot. 1 
The possibility of extracting gutta perch a from the leaves has 
been the subject of many investigations during recent years, and 
numerous processes, many of which are protected by patents, have 
been already devised for the purpose. Most of those depend upon 
the extraction of the gutta percha by means of solvents, but others 
have been suggested in which the gutta percha is obtained by 
mechanical treatment. Several of the extraction processes have 
been tried upon a commercial scale in Europe, put for various rea- 
,u/is the results have been very unsatisfactory from a financial point 
u. view and it is believed that at the present time all the factories 
established in Europe have practically suspended operations. 
It would appear from the results of these I rials that in order to 
make any process a success it will be necessary to work it on the 
spot and that further experiments are required to determine the 
particular method most suited to the local conditions. Many ot the 
processes which have been suggested involve the use of solvents 
ot low bourn g points, and would be very difficult to carry out in the 
tropics upon a large scale. From this point of view a mechanical 
process would be much preferable if one giving satisfactory results 
could be devised. It lias been stated lhat the quality of the gutta 
percha obtained by mechanical methods is better than that pre- 
pared by the use of solvents, but the yield is said to be very much 
less. It would be well if this latter (joint could be definitely settled 
and experiments might be made to determine whether the yield 
could not be greatly increased by suitable treatment. A process 
depending upon the digestion and agitation of the crushed leaves 
, ot ,vater 111 suitable machines may be suuoested as (un- 
deserving experimental trial. } gg 
The gutta-percha in fresh leaves could possibly be readily sepa- 
rated by such treatment, and could be easily washed free from 
vegetab e impurities. Machinery has been designed for extractim- 
rubber from bark in tins way, and is at present beino- used in the 
Tench Congo lor the preparation of •< root-rubber*. If such a 
process, suitably modified could be used for extracting gutta-per- 
cha from leaves, it would be much more preferable and cheaper 
than any method involving the use of solvents. 
It is understood that several processes are at present u„der<r 0 - 
mg practical trials in the East, and the results of these will afford 
bXv (iMf 3 0,1 01 t lUlr su ! tablli . t y for general use, and the possi- 
de&M.i ' T,T S 3 ": ,a " da ' success - H would probably be 
oueratim ^ tS ot lhesu tr ials bt 'fo.-e commencing 
tin mean tinf 0l i * lhu Straits S <=ttlcme„ts, and in 
processes 1 VT i°" S0Me ex l ,er| mcnts upon mechanical 
procvbbts as, suggested above. 
Another point which arises in connection with this subject is i|„, 
rd e Ih k , °F aining re ^ ularI y a sufficient supply ofTeaves to 
make the industry remunerative. It seems probable- that whatever 
process be adopted, it could only be successfully worked ffi co" 
% 
