India Rubber and Gutta Percha. 67 
The following year's export was worth £145. 16. 8. In 
1877 the business sprang up to 20,812 lbs., which sold 
for £1,040; and last year it reached the unprecedented 
quantity of 47,483 lbs., which sold for £2,543. 5 10. 
This was more than double the largest previous exporta- 
tion in a single year. 
With regard to local india-rubber, it is said that the 
numerous samples brought from the upper Essequibo, 
although of fair value, indicate that the process of 
preparation admits of great improvement. There is no 
information as to the source of this caoutchouc, it may 
have been derived from Hevea Spruceana, or some other 
species of this genus ; or it may have been derived 
from other plants — which appear to be species of 
Ficus from which the Indians are known to draw this 
material. 
About four years ago the India Office sent Mr. Cross, 
the intrepid and successful collector who has done so 
much service for this department in connection with the 
introduction of Cinchona into India, to South America 
to colle6t plants of Ceara, Para, and Central Amer- 
ican rubber-trees. The plants he gathered were depos- 
ited at Kew, where they were propagated ; and supplies 
were forwarded subsequently from there to the Botanic 
Gardens at Ceylon, for propagation for the India Govern- 
ment. In Burmah, Madras, and other places, experi- 
mental plantations have been made, in which it is hoped 
this new enterprise in the cultivation of new world 
plants, may become as firmly established in suitable dis- 
tricts as Cinchona cultivation has on the Nilgheri Hills 
and Sikkim Himalayas. 
I 1 
