The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-11-30
NEW USE OF INDIA RUBBER.

About three years ago we published an account oil
this interesting subject, detailed its history, the
ner IN which it obtained from the various trees
thatyeld 1t, and the various to which it sp
piled.
At that time its chief and almost only use was in
the manufacture OF Mackntoshs water. proof cloth,
the fabrication Of some surgical apparatus IN which
elasticity and pabllity were the objects desired he
rubbing out OF black lead pencil marks fism paper
and few other minute and unimportant applioa-
lions.
Now, however, this substance is employed in some
highly important branches of our manufactures, and
has become valuable agent in the arts and sciences
showing what an extensive field the rapid advance OF
science may open up for the appliance of materials
hitherto considered as next TO useless.
From It's peculiar elasticity its mpermeab,y to
air and water, it, being soluble only in napihas
and from us great durability 1t has been successful
ly employed in the fabrication Of various cloths
besides that of Macintosh for air cushions safety
belts and jackets; gaments and pandages tor gloves
stockings, bracelets, and other articles Of dress for
boots, shoppers of bottles, and numerous other pur.
poses. With these appliances most Of our readers
may be familiar but few may know, or might ex.
pect, that II would be employed as a pavement foe
stables, lobbies, public halls and the like that IL is
now being used IN the construction of life boats
and that II Is also proposed to il extensively IN
the hitting up OF our men Of war The Elastic Pave.
ment Company have lately erected machinery for the
poses, and can produce il, it seems at price sufi-
clenty moderate TO admit Of its general adoption
As pavement for stables, the caoutchouc pre- pa-
ration is said to be unequaled, preventing the odg-
ing Of stable matters and their consequent xios
eHhaatons, requiring little litter and preventing the
knees aud other parts Of the horse from injuries
which are apt 10 be received in stone paved stables
by little precaution, the ammonia, which now pre-
walls TO the injury Of the horses health NAV be
collected and sold for manure at from two to three
pounds per horse per annum. The stables Of the
commissioners OF Woolwch dockyard have been
paved with this material for upwards of two years,
and are allowed to be superior in point of cleapl
ness, freedom from smell, and healthiness TO what
they we're previous to the laying down Of the elastic
pavement
II has also been laid down in the admiralty court
yard, aud the carriage entrarce court TO Windsor
castle, where II has gwen much satisfaction "With
respect to It's application to marine purposes saws
the Railway Gazette, Z" life boat /, now being CON
strucled on the compsny's premises (hirty-our feet
length OF keel, and twelve breadth Of beam which
with The exception OF the keel and some iron braces
VIII be entirely formed Of India rubber and CORY
Planking She will weigh but one ton and a half
an ordinary he.beat weighing three tons and il is
the opinion Of all naval and engineers who hav,
seen her, that 1t will be almost impossible TO sink her
under ordinary circumstances, and that when driven
on rock by the action OF the waves She will re-
bound like ball, without fracture IL is also pro
posed TO use The caoutchouc preparation for an inner
lining between the guns in war vessels TO prevent
,he effect OF splinters-for hammock netting and
oul"arks, 70 save the crew from canister, grape,
&c, and for other useful, though less obvious pur
poses -
Sueh are the numerous purposes to which human
ingenuity can apply single, and, to all app arance
an insignificant substance-the exuded sap Of tree
showing that science not only applies our more OBJ
Vious wants, but creates others, and calls into use
pul I'D a.,
Nothing IN nature is useless IL we cannot now see
ITS value, rest assured that the time will come for
"a profitable application. 49, Chombes's Edinburgh
Journal.