5 
themselves, however, with the increasing production of the planta- 
tions and the better care in the preparation of the rubber. But 
there is something for the manufacturer to do as well as for the 
planter, in arriving at the best possible results from the new class 
of rubber. For instance, the manufacturer here quoted is of the 
opinion that the Ceylon rubber is not safe to use in making rubber 
thread. But the nature of his tests is not indicated. The fact that 
this rubber has not given good results for thread under the esta- 
blished practice in his factory is by no means conclusive. Possibly 
with a variation from his practice, for instance in regard to vulca- 
nization, a thread equally as good as any other in market might be 
produced. The whole industry will recall the variations from any 
former practice which were rendered necessary after the introduc- 
tion of Africans before satisfactory results were obtained, but now 
the consumption of Africans has become very large, and for many 
purposes with as good results as from the best Para sorts. In fact, 
there are uses for which some of the Africans are preferable to Para 
rubber,” 
A firm of London rubber brokers write to the “ India Rubber 
World ” as follows in regard to plantation rubber in the Far East : 
“ At present the quantities have not been sufficiently large to be 
taken generally by manufacturers, and it has yet to be ascertained 
for what purpose these new plantation rubbers are most suited, and 
how results compare with ordinary fine Para. There is no doubt 
that for some special purposes the pancake and sheet rubber both 
from the Malay States and Ceylon have been found very suitable, 
and a very convenient form of preparation, but it wdl have to come 
in much larger quantities before it can establish its proper place in 
competition with fine Para, and be generally used by manufacturers 
who must have regular supplies. Up to now we have found very 
few consumers to look with favour upon the w ashed and crepe 
rubber, and they nearly all say they prefer the biscuits or sheets, 
and will do the washing themselves. The crepe and washed rubber 
is liable to heat en route, which is against it.” 
India Rubber World, December ist, 1905, p.72. 
THE ENGKALA. 
A New Fruit. 
The Engkala fruit seems to have been long known in Sarawak 
by the Dyaks and Europeans but is apparently quite unknown out- 
side that country. Beccari mentions it in his travels in Borneo, 
but had no flowers by which to identify the species, and give'; no 
description of the tree. 1 found it beautifully in flower in Sarawak 
in September, 1905, in the town of Kuching, and later Mrs. Ellis 
and Mr. Hewitt sent me seeds and fruits of it. 
The fruit is rounded flattened at both ends about inch through, 
and of a pink colour. It contains one large rounded flattened seed. 
The pulp round the seed is of the same consistency and colour, 
