ao Some Account of the ElaJIzc-Crutn Vine. 



and which I rendered folid, by foaking them in the milk 

 and then drying them. Thefe poflefTed more firmnefs than 

 the former, but in no degree fufficient for the purpofe in- 

 tended. Pieces of flrong catgut, coated with the gum, I 

 found to anfvver better than either. 



Befides an effeftual cloathing for manufacturers employed 

 with the mineral aci-ds, which had been long a defideratum, 

 this fubftance, under different modifications, might be ap- 

 plied to a number of other ufeful purpofes in life ; fuch as 

 making hats, great coats, boots, &c, for failprs, foldiers, 

 fifhermen, and every other defcription of perfons who, from 

 their purfuits, are expofed to wet (lockings ; for invalids, who 

 fuflfer from damps; bathing caps, tents, coverings for carri- 

 ages of all kinds, for roofs of houfes, trunks, buoys, &c. 



This extraordinary vegetable production, in place of being 

 injured by \yatcr at its ufual temperature *, is preferved by 

 it. For a knowledge of this circumftance I am indebted 

 to the Chinefe. Having, fome years ago, conimiflioned ar- 

 ticles made of the elaftic-gum, from China, I received theitj 

 in a fmall jar filled up with water; in which ftate I h£iv^ 

 fince kept them without obferving any figns of decay. 



Should it ever be deemed an objeCl to attempt plantatiens 

 of the elaftic-gum vine in Bengal, I would recommend the 

 foot of the Chittagong, Rajmahal, and Bauglipore hills, as 

 fituations where there is every probability of fucceeding, 

 teing very fimilar in foil and climate to the places of its 

 growth on Prince of Wales's Ifland. It would, however, 

 be advifable to make the firll trial at this fettlcment, to learn 

 in what way the propagation of the plant might be moft 

 fuccefsfuUy condu6led. A further experience may alfo be 

 necelfary to afcertain the feafon when the miik can be pro- 

 cured of the befl; quality, and in the greate;ft quantity, with 

 the leafl detriment to the vine. 



* From an account of experiments made with the elaftic gum by 

 M. GrotTart, i.ilerted in the Annql's de Chhnie for 1791, it appears, that 

 water, when boiling, has a poiver of partially diffolving the gum fo as to 

 raiiJer one part c.ipable of being finally joined to another by prefTure only, 



yi, Ev^erit 



