BRI'rISH SETTLEMENT'


ropes, which are found to be little inferior
to those made from hemp for strength and
durability.
 The tree which exudes the resinous
substance called Caoutchouc, or elastic
gum, from which the well known material
of Indian rubber is made, is abundantly
found in most places. The name which
this tree bears in Honduras could not be
learned; Siplionia elastica is that by
which it is familiar to naturalists.* The
Locust tree, which affords another valua-
ble gum is likewise common.

 It would be impossible to contend for the accu.
racy of the nomenclature, which, whenI treating
of the natural productions of remote countries, canl
only in many instanc.cI he resorted to. And as an
infinite variety of subjects, connected both with the
vegetable and animal kingdoms, may lhave escaped
enumeration in the catalogues of the scitntihc, such
names, therefore, can alone he properly continued
to them, which may have been suggu'sted by their
respective uses, or which local circumstances may
have poir *d out.