178 TlMEHRI. 
" The ele£trical insulating quality of Balata is said to be quite equal 
to that of gutta-percha, and altogether there seems to be no question 
about the valuable properties of Balata. All that is wanted is a suffi- 
cient and constant supply and a somewhat lower price. But even at its 
present price I think it would find a ready market if it came in large 
quantities, and thus enable manufacturers to use it for applications on a 
large scale. As far as I could make out it is used by itself, and not 
mixed with gutta-percha." 
" One thing is also greatly in favour of Balata, and this is the great 
purity in which it is brought into the market, when compared with the 
extent and the many kinds of extraordinary adventures with which raw 
gutta-percha is now adulterated before it reaches this country." 
" I think this is all I have to say about Balata, and hope it will help 
to encourage the people of Demerara in producing more of it." 
I must remark that two or three statements in Dr. 
MULLER'S report are not quite explicable here. He 
says, without quoting prices, that balata commands a 
higher price than gutta-percha. But the best gutta- 
percha realises 60 cents per Tb. in the market, while the 
latest published quotation for balata was only half that 
price. In fact, of late, balata has been unsaleable in 
Georgetown, and some parcels sent home have brought 
only 6 cents per lb. This, notwithstanding its high 
quality and the great purity of state in which it is 
exported, as described by Dr. MULLER. However, what- 
ever may be the explanation of this apparent discre- 
pancy of facls, it is clear from the statement of both 
English and American manufacturers, that intrinsically 
balata is one of the most valuable substances of the 
kind known, and that if put into the market perma- 
nently in quantities that will enable manufacturers to 
use it largely, and to invest in the special machinery 
required by its peculiar character for its manufacture, it 
will realise a price corresponding to its merits. Perhaps 
