The anatomical structure in several rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. - Arg.) samples was examined by use of a Cambridge Stereoscan 600 scanning electron microscope. A series of electron micrographs is presented which illustrate those features anticipated as having an influence on permeability. A series of gas permeability experiments were performed on oven dried samples of rubberwood to determine the relative longitudinal, radial and tangential gaseous permeabilities. The results indicated that the permeability in the different directions examined was in the descending order longitudinal > tangential > radial. Graphs of specific flow rate as a function of mean pressure demonstrated that flow was essentially through one component in the longitudinal direction whereas in the tangential and radial directions it was through more than one.

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