Occasional Notes. 375 
establishment for information as to the commercial prospects in this 
country of Gum Balata, I have obtained from Dr. Hugo Muller, 
F.R.S., the enclosed report upon the subject. 
I am desired by Sir Joseph Hooker to transmit a copy of this inter- 
esting document to you in order that it may be brought officially under 
the notice of the British Guiana Government. 
The development of the trade in this interesting product seems 
entirely to rest with the colony. 
The British Guiana Government will no doubt be so good as to 
furnish copies of Dr. Muller's letter to Mr. Jenman and Mr. im Thurn. 
I am, &c, 
W. T. THISELTON DYER. 
Edward Wingfield, Esq., Colonial Office. 
13, Park Square East, Regent Park, N.W. 
July 31, 1884. 
BALATA. 
My dear Thiselton Dyer,— Although my own opinion about Balata, 
derived from personal experience of its practical application in a few 
instances, was entirely favourable, I thought it desirable to avail myself 
of an opportunity of obtaining a further opinion, direct from an India 
Rubber manufacturer, considering that this would be much more to 
your purpose than anything I could say on my own account. Hence 
the delay in my answering your letter. It seems then the Balata is by 
no means neglected and in fa6t it would find ready purchasers if more 
of it came to the market. As it is, the supply is very limited and gene- 
rally it comes only once a year. It commands a higher price than Gutta 
Percha and this in itself is a proof of its usefulness. It is used almost 
in all cases in which G. P. is used, but on account of its higher price 
only for superior purposes. 
It seems that Balata is treated by the manufacturers simply as a 
superior kind of Gutta Percha and therefore its name disappears when 
manufactured. 
Nevertheless Balata is distinctly different from Gutta Percha and 
this is especially manifested in some of its physical characters, for 
instance, it is somewhat softer at ordinary temperature and not so rigid 
in the cold. 
The chemical composition however is probably quite identical with 
that of Gutta Percha and Caoutchouc. 
