Gutta-percha

Gutta-percha refers to trees of the genus Palaquium and the rigid natural latex produced from the sap of these trees, particularly from Palaquium gutta but also Isonandra gutta and Dichopsis gutta.

The word gutta-percha comes from the plant's name in Malay, getah perca, which translates as "percha sap".

Scientifically classified in 1843, it was found to be a useful natural thermoplastic. In 1851, 30,000 long cwt (1,500,000 kg) of gutta-percha was imported into England.

During the second half of the 19th century, gutta-percha was used for myriad domestic and industrial purposes, and it became a household word. In particular, it was needed as insulation for underwater telegraph cables, which, according to author John Tully, led to unsustainable harvesting and a collapse of the supply.

History

A brief history: 'Even long before Gutta-percha was introduced into the western world, it was used in crude form by the natives of the Malaysian archipelago for making knife handles, walking sticks and other purposes. The first European to discover this material was John Tradescant, who collected it in the far east in 1656. He named this material “Mazer wood”. Dr. William Montogmerie, a medical officer in Indian service, introduced gutta-percha into practical use in the West. He was the first to appreciate the potential of this material in medicine, and he was awarded the gold medal by the Royal society of arts, London in 1843'

Percha

Percha (Italian: Perca) is a comune (municipality) in South Tyrol in northern Italy, located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Bolzano. This Percha is not to be confused with Percha of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Geography

As of 30 November 2010, it had a population of 1,449 and an area of 30.3 square kilometres (11.7 sq mi).

Percha borders the following municipalities: Bruneck, Sand in Taufers, Gais and Rasen-Antholz.

Frazioni

The municipality of Percha contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Aschbach, Wielenberg (Sopranessano), Nasen (Nessano), Litschbach (Rio Liccio), Platten (Plata Montevila), Oberwielenbach (Vila di Sopra), and Unterwielenbach (Vila di Sotto).

History

Coat-of-arms

The shield is party per fess of argent and gules; a deer horn with six points is represented in the upper part, a sable plow in the lower. The deer horn symbolizes the hunting and the woods, the six points are the six villages in the municipality; the plow represents the agriculture practiced in the territory. The coat of arms was granted in 1967.