The latex, which is usually coagulated by standing or by heating, is obtained from incisions in the bark of the tree.
That which flows from the lower incisions is often collected on tiles or on a concave piece of the prickly pear (Opuntia), but is less crystalline and more glutinous, and is less esteemed.
incisions to receive the milk, each cup being attached by sticking a piece of soft clay to the tree and pressing the cup against it.
A second method uses several smaller incisions in the scalp.
To obtain the latex, deep incisions are made near the base of the tree extending up the trunk.