Ovj 
891 
then be combed with a fine comb, but as Banana fibre is too long for 
this, it is not possible to do this with it. 
Then taking the bundle, tie it across in two or three places, if 
of Banana fibre, half its length, if of aloe or Sanseviera . A weight is 
then tied to the base of the bundle, to prevent the fibres getting 
twisted together during the work. The spinner is supplied with a 
basket and a bowl of rice water, i.e. water in which rice has been 
boiled. The bundle of thread and bowl are put on the right, the 
basket on the left. She takes two or three threads dipping the thumb 
and first finger in the rice water and twists the ends together, draw- 
ing them two fibres across the right knee. The thread is then curled 
round in the basket to dry in similar manner the free end is 
joined to another thread. The Chinese women and girls are so ac- 
customed to this work that it only fakes a few seconds to join the 
fibres. The threads then formed are put on the spindles as is done 
with cotton. 
H. N. R. 
GETAH GERIP FROM PULAU JERAJAH. 
During last year Dr. Mugliston, Senior Medical Officer, Penang 
reported to the President Councillor there that he had prepared sam- 
ples of a Rubber obtained from Rubber-vines growing on Pulau Jera- 
jah, the leper Island, near Penang and that some Penang buyers re- 
garded the samples as Rubber of the first quality. 
By direction of the Resident Councillor I visited the Island and 
was shewn a vine then in flower which proved to be WiUughbeia firma, 
the well known “getah gerip.” 
Prom the several incisions I obtained a small quantity of latex 
but this failed to coagulate with the only agent I had with me viz., 
acetic acid. (I understood Dr. Mugliston coagulated his samples by 
raising the temperature of the latex. The latex exuded much quicker 
from the blow of a large heavy knife than from an ordinary tapping 
instrument, and runs off iairly clean, leaving very little latex to coagu- 
late on the bark ( practically nil). 
I was told there were several vines on this little Island. What I 
saw did not exceed inches in diameter and I was not fortunate 
enough to find any seedlings which it was suggested might be abundant. 
It is however interesting to record an isolated place where the plants 
are not likely to be exploited, 
Dr. Mugliston s’ samples were prepared in biscuits, cups, and 
lumps. These were exhibited at the Kuala Kangsar show last year 
without success, in the class for Jungle Rubbers. Subsequently through 
the kindness of the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew T , the following 
report was obtained from Messrs. Lewis & Peat. 
i 
