536 The Applications and Ufa of Elajlic Gilfn. 



fented a& poflible : thefe I hung feparately upon pins, about a foot from the ground, by 

 pieces of cord wrought into the wax; I then placed under each a foup plate, into which I 

 poured as much of the milk as I thought would be fufficient for one coat. Having dipped 

 my fingers in this, I completely covered the moulds one after another, au.i v^'hat dropped 

 into the plates was ufed as part of the next coat : the firft I generally found fufTiciently dry 

 in the fpace of ten minutes, when expofed to the fun, to admit of a fecond being applied : 

 however, after every fecond coat, the oily matter before mentioned was in fuch quantity 

 upon the furface, that, until waflied off with foap and water, I found it impoffible to 

 apply any more milk with efleft ; for, if laid on, it kept running and dividing like water 

 upon wax. 



Thirty coats I in common found fufficient to give a covering of the thicknefs of the bot- 

 tles which come from America. This circuraftance may, however, at any time be afcer- 

 t^ined, by introducing the finger between the mould and gum, the one very readily fepa- 

 rating from the other. 



I found the fingers preferable to a brufli, or any inftrument whatever, for laying on the 

 milk ; for the moment a brulh was wet with that fluid, the hair became united as one mafs. 

 A mode which at firft view would appear to have the advantage of all others for eafe and 

 expedition in covering clay and vrax moulds with the gum, viz. immerfing them in the 

 milk, did not at all anfwer upon trial ; that fluid running almoft entirely ofl^, although 

 none of the oily matter was prefcnt ; a certain degree of force feeming necefl'ary to incor- 

 porate by friftion the milk with the new formed gum. 



When, upon examination, I found that the boots and gloves were of the thicknefs 

 wanted, I turned them over at the top, and drew them off, as if from the leg or hand, by 

 which I fared the trouble of forming new moulds. Thofe of the bottles being fmalleft at 

 the neck, I was under the neceflity of diflblving in hot water. 



The infide of the boots and gloves which had been in contact with the wax being by far 

 the fmootheft, I made the outfide. The gloves were now finiflied, unlefs cutting their 

 tops even, which was beft done with fciflars. The boots, however, in their prefent ftate, 

 more refembled ftockings, having as yet no foles. To fupply them with thefe, I poured 

 upon a piece of gunny a proper quantity of milk, to give it a thick coat of gum. From 

 this, when dry, I cut pieces fufiiciently large to cover the fole of the foot, which, having 

 wet with the milk, I applied ; firft replacing the boot upon the mould to keep it properly 

 extended. By this mode the foles were fo firmly joined, that no force could afterwards 

 feparate them. In the fame manner I added heels and ftraps, when the boots had a very 

 neat appearance. To fatisfy myfelf as to their impermeability to water, I ftood in a pond 

 up to their tops for the fpace of fifteen minutes, when, upon pulling them off, I did not 

 find my ftockings in tlie leaft damp. Indeed, from the nature of the gum, had it been for 

 a period of as many months, the fame refult was to have been expedled. 



After being thus far fuccefsful, I was greatly difappointed in my expeflations with re- 

 gard to their retaining their original fliape ; for, qn wearing them but a few times, they 



loft 



