"' Gollcd&ii of the Milk. — Going from tree to tree at a sort of running
pace, the collector empties the contents of the cups into a large calabash,
which he carries in his hand. As he pours the milk out of each cup he
draws bis thumb or fore-finger over the bottom to clean out some which other-



INDIARUBBER. 39

wise would adhere. Indeed, a small quantity does remain, which is afterwards
pulled off and classed as semaniby. The cups on being emptied are laid in a
little heap at the base of each tree, to be ready for the following morning.
The trees occur at various distances from lo to lOO yards apart, and as I
travelled over the intricate network of muddy footpaths, I continually felt per-
plexed and surprised that the natives have not yet seen the advantages that
would be derived by forming plantations, whereby more than twice the quantity
of caoutchouc might be collected in one-fourth the time, and at far less cost
and labour."

The trees ai'e tapped if they have a circumference of eighteen or twenty-
four inches, and the rough process above described is carried on for many
years, until the constant and extensive injury to the young wood causes their
death, for some years previous to which event they almost cease to yield milk
and are practically abandoned.
