Seelingmann Scott Bamber Water 55 a 56% 22 - 32% 55¹⁵ - 55⁵⁶% Rubber 32% 37 - 13% 41²⁹ - 32 % Proteine 2% to 3% 2⁷¹% 2¹⁸ - 2⁰³% Resin traces 3⁴⁴% - 2⁰³% Ash 0²³% - 0⁴¹% Sugar 4¹⁷% - 0³⁶% Oily substances 9⁷% traces - Specific weight: Seelingmann, 1.019. Bamber: 1.018. It is advisable to note, that the proportion of water may vary a great deal, influenced sometimes by the season being either wet or dry, and at other times by the weakness or vigor of the tree at the occasion of its being tapped. The quantities of proteine, resin and ash are dependent on the chemical composition of the soil, those quantities affect the quality of the rubber, which is the more elastic, resistent and durable the smaller the proportion of those elements. In the coagulation of the latex, the resin incorporates itself in the rubber, it becoming difficult to separate it, which, however, is necessary; the proteine or albuminous matter is the cause of the developing of the bacteria which occasion the putrefaction of the manufactured article. The method employed in Brazil in the extraction of the latex and in the preparation of rubber from the heveas trees, is the same as that which was taught by the natives and it is a remarkable thing, that due to the excellency of the product resulting therefrom, it is considered even to-day as the best system. The great production of rubber in Brazil, is due to the exploitation of the natural seringaes. A “seringal” or, better said “seringaes” in the plural sense, are the forests where the hevea trees flourish among other numerous specimens of luxuriant vegetation, and in those regions everybody, i.e., all the able-bodied men, occupy themselves with the extraction of rubber and are known as “seringueiros.” In order to exploit the “seringal,” operations are commenced by the construction on the bank of the river, at a place easy of access for navigation, of a large rustic edifice with out-buildings and various sheds. The general edifice serves as a dwelling-place for the owner or his representative and includes a general store or shop with a tavern which does business in selling all the necessary articles required in or connected with the life of exploiting the “seringal,” a store-house for depositing the rubber and an office or counting-house. The sheds are the rudimentary habitation-huts of the “seringueiros” and are sometimes constructed in the interior of the forests, so as to facilitate to a greater degree the work which they have in hand.