56i 
Seeds of this plant were received from Uganda, 
Entebbe Gardens ; at the end of March, they germinated 
and a number were planted out in good light soil in the 
nursery. They had by October attained a height of 
over five feet and commenced flowering. 
The stems are straight and unbranched, an 
important matter in cultivation for fibre. They are 
about a quarter of an inch through and bear numerous 
narrow lanceolate leaves. The flowers are borne in 
bunches near the top of the stem, and are white with a 
grey violet crown (corona) of the reproductive organs in 
the centre. It seems clear that the plant would do well 
in this region where jute is a failure and many of the 
other plants which also produce a good fibre have the 
awkward habit of branching low down and making a 
bush rather than a tall easily stripped stem with long 
fibre. This habit is the most objectionable character in 
such plants as Perpulut (Urena lobata) and the Sidas and 
other mallows, • the fibres of which are excellent but too 
short, and difficult to strip owing to the branching of 
the plant. The Gomphocarpus, however, is free from 
this defect. 
The plant appears not to be cultivated anywhere in 
Africa but is used occasionally for twine. 
Fibre was sent from Uganda by Mr. White and was 
valued at £35 a ton, a very good price. The fibre from 
the bark of plants grown in the Botanic Gardens, 
Singapore, seems to be very strong and fine. Its colour 
and length, when well-grown, leave nothing to be desired. 
Cultivation of this plant would present no difficulty if 
sufficient seed was procurable. It merely requires to be 
sown in good open soil and should be ready for cutting 
in about six months. The plant seems well worth the 
attention of those interested in fibres. — Ed. 
TACKINESS IN RUBBER. 
In “ Le Caoutchouc et Gutta percha ” for September 
15, p 3216., M. Gabriel Bertrand gives an article on 
the tackiness of the different kinds of rubbers, for which 
