Rubber is collected by making diagonal cuts in the trunk of a rubber tree (fig.), a process is called 'rubber tapping' (fig.). Afterwards the crude rubber is transferred into a large barrel, strained, diluted with water and treated with acid to coagulate the particles. Then it is poured into pans to harden, after which it is mangled into white pliable sheets or mats that turn beige when drying in the sun (fig.).