Balata and the Balata Industry. 225 
however, contained a higher percentage of water than 
the balata milk, 100 parts analysed gave, — water, 
44*61 ; caoutchouc, 51*54 ; mineral matter, 1*95. The 
gum when dried by evaporation under heat in an oven 
was rather sticky and soft, but another sample precipi- 
tated in alcohol was dry and firm. Whether by sponta- 
neous evaporation it would be soft and sticky, I was 
unable to ascertain, having no more milk left for the 
experiment. But the reports on the two samples men- 
tioned, made by the India-Rubber, Gutta-Percha and 
Telegraph Works Company, Limited, indicate that, 
however dried, the substance would have no commer- 
cial value. The milk also must deteriorate the balata 
with which it is mixed. The following are the re- 
ports : — 
"No. 3. Bartaballi-rubber dried by evaporation. This substance is 
incapable of being successfully treated by any of the processes ap- 
plicable to any description of india-rubber. Absorbs water by washing 
and retains it most obstinately." 
" No. 4. Bartaballi-rubber dried by precipitation by spirits of wine. 
This sample is very brittle and offers no recommendation for an experi- 
mental investigation. The quantity is too small for any practical 
inquiry." 
I failed to obtain flowering specimens of this tree, but 
was informed that it blooms in the early part of the year. 
The fruit ripens during the summer. It is edible and 
much sought by Indians who are reported in some parts 
of the country to destroy, by felling, a great many trees 
to obtain it. The bartaballi is said to be Lucuma mam- 
mosa, but the seed given to me in Berbice as bartaballi 
seed did not belong to that botanically well-known tree. 
The third of these new caoutchouc plants I can afford 
very little information regarding, as I did not come 
DD 
