REPORT ON THE CAOUTOHOTJC OP COMMERCE. 
47 
3. Samples of the whey-like substance which separates from the 
Caoutchouc during its coalescence. * 
4. Samples of prepared Caoutchouc in the form or forms proposed 
to export it in, care being taken that it is as clean and dry as possible. 
5. Information on the average yield of each kind of tree, and at 
different seasons, the best season for collecting, and the relative 
yield by simple tapping ; (2) tapping, assisted by binding, and total 
destruction. Of course, in practice, the two latter methods should 
not be resorted to. A specimen of the stem showing methods of 
tapping would be interesting. 
6. Dried specimens of a branch of the tree, having the leaves, 
flowers, and fruit attached . These may easily be dried between 
sheets of any porous paper, care being taken to change the paper a 
few times at first, till the plants are perfectly dry. The specimens 
should be as characteristic as possible ; leaves on different parts of 
a tree vary in some instances very considerably. 
7. Specimens of leaves, flowers, and fruits attached, preserved in 
a jar or bottle, in some spirit as brandy, spirits of wine, or in acetic 
acid, or a solution of salt, care being taken that the mouth of the 
vessel be well secured to prevent leakage. 
8. Specimens of the wood (a small section of the stem) and bark. 
All the botanical specimens and the Caoutchouc should be gathered 
from the same identical tree. 
9. When there is more than one kind of variety of tree yielding 
the same substance, complete specimens of each kind should be 
collected and sent. 
10. Small parcels of fresh seeds should be sent by post, as this 
saves much time; seeds also (in addition to the ordinary method) 
should be sent packed in sugar, as this method is said to prevent 
oxidation of oil. 
11. Information respecting the geographic distribution and 
climatic conditions, how best propagated, native names, and any 
other information should be sent. 
12. Great care should be taken that the labels should be correctly 
and securely affixed to the specimens, and that the letter or other 
account should coincide with the numbers or names on the specimens. 
I shall be very glad to receive any such specimens and report on 
the same. j AS- COLLINS, 
11, Arthur Street, 
Deptford. 
