52 
MEMORANDUM. 
lias been largely used in Prance and is now beginning to be appre- 
ciated in this country. The mean temperature of the year in the 
northern part of Madagascar is about 77° (hot season, January to 
April, between 80° and 85°). 
The cultivation of this plant would probably yield an earlier 
return than the Brazilian Heveas, and that circumstance might 
be an inducement for the introduction of those climbers also 
which yield the African rubber (Landolphia sp.) and the Borneo 
Caoutchouc (Urceola elastica) both belonging to the same natural 
family of Apocynacese. In addition to the climbers it will be 
well by way of experiment to introduce plants of Castilloa elastica, 
a large tree which yields the Caoutchouc of Central America. 
8. Before now proceeding to discuss the second subject, viz. the 
measures to be taken for increasing the production and improving 
the quality of the Assam Caoutchouc, it will be well to notice the 
relative value of the principal kinds of rubber imported into this 
country. Prom the Liverpool and London price lists for 1871-72 
given in Mr. Collins’ report, it appears that the principal descrip- 
tions may be classed as follows with regard to price and quality : — 
Name of article, and country whence 
Name of Plant 
Price paid for last Parcel. 
obtained. 
yielding it. 
Lowest. 
Highest. 
Para (Para and Amazonas) 
Ilevea sp. 
s. d. 
2 8 
s. d. 
3 1 
Madagascar - - - 
Vahea sp. 
1 10* 
2 4i 
West India (Central America) - 
Castilloa elastica 
i iii 
2 3£ 
Carthagena - - - 
Do. 
1 10 
2 3 
Guayaquil (pressed) 
Do. 
1 7* 
2 3 
Singapore (Indian Archipelago) 
Ficus sp. 
1 10J 
2 3 
Assam - 
Ficus elastica 
i - H 
2 8*f 
Ceara (Ceara in Brazil) - - 
Hevea sp. • 
1 10 
2 1 
* Madagascar Caoutchouc is a very superior article, which has recently only become known in this 
country, the lowest price quoted was early in the year, before it became appreciated. 
f Price of a parcel of Assam of great purity. * 
The African rubber (Landolphia) varies exceedingly in price and 
quality, and the Borneo Caoutchouc, the produce of TJrceola elastica, 
is only quoted at Is. %d. to Is. 10 \d. per lb. Assam rubber 
stands low in the list at present, but there seems good ground to 
