1793- on the caoutchoue. 303 
Socks for the feet impenetrable hy morsture, boots, dc. 
In this way also might be formed socks, which if put 
above the stocking, would guard the feet more effectually 
from wet than even Mr Hand’s leather itself. For this, 
by being only covered with a thin coating of it, will be 
soon worn off and be thus rendered unserviceable. These 
socks might, for such as chose it, be continued upwards 
upon the legs, by way of boots, so as to defend them also 
effectually from wet even when employed for wading in 
water up to the knees, or even in acids or other corrosive 
liquors. If these were brought up so as to go under the 
kneeband of the breeches ; and if a slip of the same kind 
were made to go over the thighs above the breeches, a 
traveller on horseback would be effectually guarded from 
wet in all weathers. By the same contrivance the arms 
and fhoulders might be covered with a coat without 
“aseam, perfectly impenetrable by moisture. The head al« 
so might be defended by a hood of the same sort to go 
under the hat, with laps covering the neck and fhoulders, 
In this manner might a man be covered all overas with 
a coat of mail, soas to be in no danger of receiving wet 
in any situation. 
In this way might also be made gloves for the hands, 
especially of that sort where the fingers are all received 
into one bag. These would not only be convenient for 
travelling during rainy weather, but also for covering the 
hands of such persons as are under the necefsity of hand- 
ling corrosive liquors: 
It would be tiresome to follow out this idea at creat- 
er length. It is enough to have barely hinted at it, as 
any man by a little reflection can easily’ perceive in 
what way this discovery might be employed for effecting 
any purpose he may have in view at the time. 
But though this substance may be thus converted to 
some very useful purposes, yet it is sufficiently obyious 
