The vine is tapped by women, who, after digging a hole near the root of the plant, make a number of transverse cuts upon the root-stem. The latex flows rapidly from such cuts, and is coagulated by throwing salt water on the wound. The scrap rubber which forms is collected the following day, and the pieces are attached to one another, forming an open sponge-like ball of a pinkish-white colour. Sand is often present in these balls owing to the fallen latex being added to the rest.
RUBBER VINE (LANDOLPHIA HEUDELOTII) AT KOTOO.
Fig. 4. [p. 9.]
CEARA RUBBER TREE (MANIHOT GLAZIOVII) AT BAKAU.
Fig. 5, [p. 10.]
RUBBER TREE (CASTILLOA ELASTICA) AT KOTOO.
Fig. 6, [p. 10.]