u 
Micrandra siphonoidesf is obtained from the far in- 
terior of Brazil. It is believed to be a fine grade rubber 
but native collectors mix the latex with that of Hevea and 
consequently very little is known of its actual value. 
Sapium is a genus extending over all the rubber grow- 
ing districts of Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and British 
Guiana There are a few species containing latex which is 
used in Brazil for mixing with the latex of Hevea. Sa- 
pium biglandulosum — the most common species of Brazil 
has been reported on at different times and its rejection as 
a commercial rubber has led to some confusion as to the 
value of other species; particularly, Sapium Jenmani — 
(Touckpong) a native of Guiana and extending to Vene- 
zuela and N. Brazil. This plant supplies a high grade 
rubber but a chemical analysis had not been published at 
the time of the exhibition. It is anticipated that its cul- 
tivation will be taken up extensively in different parts of 
the West Indies, seedling plants, however, compared with 
the robust S. biglandulosum did not impress me as possess- 
ing the constitution of a vigorous growing tree for plan- 
tations. Other species of value are S. utile (Palo de leche) 
from Ecuador and Peru, and S. verum (Virgin caucho) 
from Colombia. Price variable, about 3/2 against 4/6 for 
fine, hard Para. 
Mo it ace ae. 
Ficus is an extensive old world genus but only a few 
of the many species produce rubber of commercial value. 
Ficus elastica (Rambong or Assam rubber) is the most 
valuable species and is now cultivated in India, Ceylon, 
British Malaya, Java, and Sumatra, but not so extensively 
as was expected a few years ago— possibly due to the 
higher price obtained for Para rubber and its most regular 
yield of latex. This Ficus is one of the earliest known of 
Asiatic rubbers and was first brought to notice by Dr. 
Roxburgh over a century ago. In a wild state the plant is 
epiphytic, growing on other trees or rocks, and appears as 
a small crown or crest of short branches on long rambling 
aerial roots. Under cultivation it is grown as an arbores- 
cent tree and developes stout lateral branches and a con- 
sequent larger area of bark for tapping. On some estates 
in the Netherlands the aerial wots are pruned off and the 
tree is cultivated as a standard, i.e., a bushy crown and 
large main stem. Its habitat extends from the Sikkim 
f Micrandra siphonokle$^= Hevea sp, but is regarded as distinct by the 
Seringuieros of Brazil. 
