A Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis), its flower and fruit segments bordered by six scenes illustrating its use by man. Coloured lithograph, c. 1840.

[c. 1840]

1 print : lithograph, with watercolour ; border 22.5 x 18 cm

A Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis). flowers germ nut or seed. flower. obtaining the caoutchou. making bottles of Indian rubber. Indian rubber torch, shoes, balls &c. Indian rubber used in drawing. macintosh cloth. air balloon varnished with Indian rubber

The illustration mentions 'Indian rubber,' but this applies to the product and not the plant. The term India rubber stayed in use long after Brazilian rubber became the main source.

One of a series of six prints illustrating economic plants and their uses: date palm (Wellcome Library no. 28051i), coffee (2052i), rubber (28053i), sugar cane (28057i), tea (28058i), tobacco (28060i)

Wellcome Collection 28053i