I76 TlMEHRl. 
should be conscious of. I can well believe, however, 
that a mature tree in full health would, to a casual 
observer, present no difference in appearance during his 
entire lifetime. I have no doubt that many of these 
giants of their race have braved the vicissitudes of fortune 
for hundreds of years, nor should I regard it as improba- 
ble that some even saw the birth of the Christian era. 
I am indebted to Mr. IM THURN for ascertaining the 
Indian names for the bullet tree, which are — 
War ran — Koobi arri. 
Carib — Parata eboo. 
A rawack — Boosuit. 
The corresponding names for balata are — 
Warrau — Koobi armut. 
Carib — Parata ebookooroo. 
A rawack — Boosuet 'ookoo. 
Balata is intermediate in character between india- 
rubber and gutta-percha. It combines the properties of 
both, and is said to be as good as the best combination 
of those materials that can be made. Consequently, for 
certain purposes it is better adapted than any other of 
the natural caoutchouc substances. Its strength also is 
very great, and as it does not stretch under tension, for 
special appliances, such as bands for machinery, it is 
unequalled. It has recently been pronounced by an 
American firm of manufacturers as " the best gum in the 
world," and that it has not had a greater success is due 
more to the hitherto limited character and uncertain 
natue of the supply, than to any defect of quality 
intrinsically in itself. This opinion is confirmed by the 
following report from Dr. HUGO Muller, F.R.S., which 
has been received by the Government through the 
