These difficulties, however, have been brought to the attention of the Federal Government of Brazil, and of the States, and in consequence an important Congress was called and presided over by the Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce. The Legislative power also passed special laws providing measures urgently needed to better the existing conditions. These laws also provide for a department under the Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, to be called “The Protection of Rubber,” which has already been formed and is at work. Among the various and important provisions of the law, is the establishment of various experimental stations for advancing the cultivation of the four different kinds of rubber trees found in Brazil, the Hevea braziliensis (seringa), castillôa (caucho), maniçoba, and mangabeira. These trees are all natives of Brazil and can be cultivated from the upper regions of the Amazon to the States of S. Paulo and Paraná. That is, from the extreme north to nearly the extreme south, one or other of these species can be cultivated, according to the climate and character of the soil in each region. Various concessions and money premiums are offered to attract capital and awaken activity in this industry. Certain services, such as the establishment of hospitals, medical attention and hygienic regulations are also provided by the Federal Government. In the pages of this book will be found, fully treated, the principal points of this important subject. From the statistical tables published and from the exhibits displayed at the International Rubber Exposition in New York, it can readily be seen that the rubber of Brazil is judged the best in the world, and that its production although already enormous is destined to be largely increased. DR. CANDIDO MENDES DE ALMEIDA, President Brazilian Commission. A MONOGRAPH UPON PARÁ RUBBER HISTORICAL NOTES ABOUT PARÁ RUBBER It is in our diaries of the voyage of the Genovese Columbus, that among the important occurrences of that notable crossing of the ocean, which gave him immortality, appeared the first references, made by Herrera, to the quality of a certain gum utilized by the aborigines. In 1536 Gonçalvo Fernandes d’Oviedo in his “Universal History of the Indies,” published in Madrid, also mentioned the uses which the indigenous tribes of North America made of rubber skins in their amusements. The Jesuit Charlevoix also refers to it and more fully yet does John Torquemada who in his “Indian Monarchy,” expresses himself thus: “There is a tree in this country (Mexico) known to the natives as =ulequahuitl=, to whom it is of the greatest value. This tree grows in the warm or torrid zone; and presents itself of a medium height with rounded leaves of an ashy color. It furnishes in abundance a species of glutinous white liquid like milk, which makes it of great utility to them.