26 
REPORT ON THE CAOUTCHOUC OP COMMERCE. 
4. African Sources op Supply. 
VahecB species. Madagascar Caoutchouc. 
Vdhea gummifera, Lam., 111. 1. 169, D.C. Prod, viii., p. 327. 
Synonym . — TaberncBmontana squamosa , Spreng. 
Geographic Distribution. — Madagascar. 
V. Madagascariensisj Boj., Hort. Maur., p. 207, D.C. 1. c. 
Synonyms. — JEJeMtes, Sieb., fl. Maur. Exs., n. 124. 
Faterna elastiea , Sieb., ibid, n. 278. 
Vernacular Names. — Voua-Here ; Voa-Hme; Liane de 
€fomme elastique (Er.), Voacanga. 
Geographic Distribution. — Madagascar and Isle of Erance. 
Remarks. — A climbing shrub ; flowers in March and 
December. 
V. Comorensis , Boj., Hort. Maur., p. 207, D.C. 1. c. 
Vernacular Name. — VaugMnia . 
Geographic Distribution. — Johanna (Comoro Islands). 
Remarks. — A beautiful climbing shrub ten feet high, 
growing near the sea and by water, and in woods to an 
altitude of 4,000 feet. Elowers white, sweet scented ; 
fruit, colour and form of orange. Elowers in September. 
V. jSmegalensis, A. D. C., Prod. 1. c. . 
Vernacular Name. — Anjonan . 
Geographic Distribution. — A climbing shrub in 
Senegambia. 
General Remarks. — M. Coignet* mentions that on the North-east 
coast *of Madagascar, Caoutchouc is obtained from three varieties of 
climbing plants {VaJie(s) y and a shrub 16 to 19 feet high. Of the 
climbers one variety gives the best product, though the natives 
mix all together. The Caoutchouc is prepared in either of two 
ways, by treatment with salt water or by artificial heat. Mada- 
gascar, Caoutchouc, which is rather new to English commerce, 
was first known as ec Mauritius ” Caoutchouc. It has been however 
largely used in Erance. At the present time it is highly valued in 
this country, standing next to Para in price. 
* Bulletin de la Societe de Geograpliie, Sept, 1867, p. 289, 
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