REPORT ON THE CAOUTCHOUC OF COMMERCE. 9 
* 
murumurtm are used. These nuts give off by this toasting to 
which they are subjected a thick white smoke. In this smoke the 
Caoutchouc is held and dried. The Caoutchouc prepared in this 
manner has a beautifully laminated appearance. A second and more 
modern method is by treating the milk with an aqueous solution of 
alum, and then subjecting the Caoutchouc to pressure. This method 
was purchased by the Provincial Government of Para of M. Hcnrique 
Antonio Strauss, and is much liked, inasmuch as it allows of being 
performed away from the scene of collection, which is always 
unhealthy. Mr. Augustus Tappenbech, of Liverpool, who was 
formerly engaged in the Caoutchouc trade in Para, tells me he 
believes an. acid (?) is used in the preparation of the variety known 
as Virgin Rubber. Mr. Henry Lee Korns, likewise engaged in the 
same trade in Para, found strong liquor ammonias, in the pro- 
portion of 3 °/ 0 , had the desired effect on the milk. I believe too 
that the vapour of sulphur plays a part in the preparation of some 
of the Para caoutchouc. 
Para Caoutchouc appears in commerce in several forms : 1st, Elat 
pouches or “ biscuits,” a very fine, carefully prepared Caoutchouc, 
made by successive dippings and “ smoked,” and with one 
side cut open, for the purpose of withdrawing the mould; 
2nd, “ Bottles,” made also in the same manner ; 3rd, “ Negro- 
head ” or “ sumamby,” consisting of the scraps of rubber left after 
the preparation of the finer descriptions, rolled into large balls or 
blocks, sometimes twelve inches in diameter, and often very much 
adulterated ; and, 4th, Loose “ scrap.” 
The export, about 4,558 tons, from Para in 1869 is as follows : — 
To London and Liverpool - - 161,987 arrobas.* 
To European Continent - - 20,514 „ 
To New York - - ^ 182,843 „ 
Total - - - 365,344 „ 
Marankam. — Occasionally parcels of this Caoutchouc are received 
here ; it has the general character of that of Para. 
Ceara. — This Caoutchouc, which has the general character of that 
of Para, consists of reddish-brown string-like pieces rolled up into 
balls or blocks, and known commercially as Ceara “scraps Species 
of lleveai abound here. The tree is incised at the beginning of the 
* An arroba rz 25| lbs. 
