44 
REPORT ON THE CAOUTCHOUC OF COMMERCE. 
Species recommended to Introduction . — I should strongly recom- 
mend the introduction of as many as possible of the plants yielding 
Caoutchouc in quantities sufficient for commercial purposes, as pos- 
sibly by cultivation there will be not only an atavism or returning to 
their original or primeval goodness, but even an increase of yield over 
that of spontaneous yield may be safely looked for, as has proved 
so remarkably the case in the Cinchonce . 
Para Caoutchouc, as seen by the prices paid for it, is undoubtedly 
the best description. There are no purposes to which Para 
Caoutchouc cannot be applied, the question of price alone precluding 
its application for purposes -which, if price admitted, it would be used. 
Por the production of the best articles possessing all the properties 
for which Caoutchouc is valued, Para Caoutchouc would be un- 
doubtedly chosen above all others. It is more tensile, retains its 
strength to a much greater degree, is less acted upon, than Assam 
or any other Caoutchouc whatever, and its superiority is not due 
.to mere purity (as seen from the difference of price of of 
“ fine Para ” and pure Assam), but to its belonging to a different 
genus. Para Caoutchouc is in certain cases absolutely indispensable, 
such as for articles requiring the greatest strength, elasticity, &e., 
and other cases again where its combination with the commoner 
varieties is necessary in order to impart the same qualities. Uses 
can be found for all kinds, and it would be impossible for the 
Para Caoutchouc to be supplied in sufficient quantities to render 
the cultivation of other species unnecessary ; no cultivation would 
be likely to render other kinds so good as to sujoercede Para 
Caoutchouc. The milk of the Sevece is very pure, and unmixed 
with resins or other substances, as is the case with some other kinds.* 
Seeds of the Bevem could easily be procured from the Amazon 
districts, and tlieir germination ensured on the spot, as probably 
from the quantity of oil they contain, they would rapidly lose this 
powder, oily seeds losing their germinating power quicker than 
non-oily seeds, owing to oxidation of the oil soon setting in. Young 
plants introduced, or plants raised from seed, hi a new country more 
quickly accommodate themselves to differences of climatic con- 
ditions than larger plants do. 
I should also strongly recommend the introduction of the 
Castilloa elastica , Cerv., and the other one or two species of the 
*Is the resin present in many kinds of Caoutchouc a “stem” resin ? if so, its presence 
would be owing to too deep incision. 
