Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-31

clay, regaining when cold, its original hard
ness and rigidiy." From experiments DR..
NJ. ascer,Sined IFS peculiar properties and
its admirable adaptation for various surgi.
cal purposes, and the Society Of Arts in
London awarded him lis gold medal for
the discovery. III health prevented DR.. NJ.
from visiting the forests aud examining the
tree and the manner OF procuring the gum,
but he learned from the natives, that the
Pcrcha tree aitains diameter Of three or
four feet, that the wood is ibrous and spon-
gy, having no value rs timber, but bears a
fruit from which an oil is obtained, which
the natives eat with their food. The tree
is found in many parts Of the Island Of Sin
gapore, but is much larger aud more nu-
merous all over Bnrneo and the adjacent
islands. Since 1912 several hundred tons
have been annually exported from Singa-
pore. There is reason, however, 10 fear
that the supply may be shortly decreased,
from the wasieful mode in which the ma
tives collect it, often sacrificing noble
tree Of so or 100 years growth for the sake
of20 or 30 lbs Of the gum, which is the
largest quantity any one trunk ever affords.
The people fell the tree. strip OF the bark,
and collect the milky Juice in a trough
formed Of the hollow stem Of the plantain
leaf, in which. being exposed TO the air, it
soon coagulates. IL is then rolled up into
square blocks Of from 10 to 20 lbs. and en-
ported. From its appearance in this state.
we might suppose il to be the dlburHum Of
the tree, or that portion OF the bark situat-
ed next TO the trunk OF the tree, and cor
responding to the Slippery Elm bark which
is sold by the druggists. II, however, ii is
a ~coagulaied liquid, then as DR.. NJ. sug-
gesis, it may probably be obtained by tap
ping The tree in the same way that India
Rubber. Maple Sugar. and the sap of other
trees are procured. An account Of The uses
to which Gutia Percha may be applied. will
be given in another paper. w.
The Editor Of the Boston Transcript,
from which we take this article, says
A friend has given US specimen Of this
new substance. 10 its original state, which
resembles punk, or partially decayed oak
wood. II appears TO be the inner bark Of
the tree, and is a mixture Of woody matter
and gum, which readily separate on being
placed in boiling water. This bark is from
two OF three inches in thickness, according
TO the age and size Of the tree. About 80
pounds OF gum are obtained from a CON-
mon sized tree, which must be destroyed
when the gum bark is removed. Mr. J. Nj
Wighiman, mathematical and philosopher
instrument maker, Cornhill, has received
mall lot OF this new substance, which hi
will try some experiments with. when W,
shall hope TO hear from him. lii is VIVA
it has been represented, it will prove a val
liable acquisition 10 the commerce, arts ant
manufactures Of the age.
Ii will be seen by reference 10 our adrer
Using columns that this new and valuabl,
article is for sale by Mr. Charles Stoddcr
rs Kilby street, for bellings and a v%ariell
Of other purposes and Mr. W. Holmes. 2
fremont Row, for shoe soles. For belt
ings it is unquesiionably preferable to an,
other material ever before used. As an ar
iicIe Of shoe leather, whether it will prov
a better article than vulcanized rubber, is
more doubtful matter. The timber is value
less for building purposes, on account Q
the loose and open character Of its tissue
but the tree bears a fruit, which yields
concrete oil, used for food by the ma
tives. Gutta Percha is FAR from being a
elastic Us India rubber but its t~enaci,y
wonderful. Ii is stated in Chambers Joui
nal, that a thin slip. an eighth of an inch i
substance, sustained a weight OF foriy-lw
pounds, aud only broke with the pressur
of 6liy-six pounds.