E.. N. Kent on Gutta Percha. 2Q47 
TH small portion of gutta ‘itm insoluble in any of 
above solvents, consists of a red coloring matter, woody fib 
earthy bases. The colorin he is soluble i in water, 
cipitates on the addition 
all portion of a soft deiow 
) ind turpentine. This resin is sep- 
arated by precipitating a solution of gutta percha with alcohol 
and evaporating the palastort j 
destructive distillation, gutta percha yields au oil eer to 
that obtained from cagutehoiae, The erude oil is dar 
reflected, and red by transmitted light. It is limpid, gowe darker 
y exposure to light, has a very disagreeable smell, is not spon- 
taneously volatile, is but slowly soluble. in 90 per cent. alcohol, 
and has a specific gravity of 856. By.two rectifications a light 
yellow oil is obtaitied, volatile below 320° F'., which constitutes 
about one-half the measure of the crude. oi, This product is 
spontaneously volatile, dissolves Hneadaly in alcohol, and grows 
darker by exposure to the light. # 
The most remarkable property of gutta percha, that of its be- 
pt soft and plastic by heat, and returning to its natural state 
cold, has already been taken advantage of in the arts, and 
east patents have been granted to Mr. Hancock in Europe for 
valuable processes of rope the material into a great variety of 
articles, for which it appears to be admirably adapted. In this 
country but little has been a with it, except for the 
ture of bands for machinery, and soles for boots; but it will 
doubtless be soon brought - extensive use, ina great number 
of our domestic manufacture 
The interesting electrical today of ‘aap percha, first noticed 
by Faraday, is truly wonderful. A piece of the manufactured 
thin sheet gum, cannot be taken St a paper in which it has 
been wrapped, without exhibiting this remarkable property, and 
by gentle friction with a silk handkerchief, a spark is readily ob- 
tained from it of an inch in leng 
From the excellent non-conducting power of gutta percha, it 
is likely to come into extensive use in the manufacture of elec- 
trical apparatus, and it has already been employed to some-extent 
for cseonlating thé wires.of Morse’s electro-magnetic telegraph 
ew York, Aug. Ist, 1848: 
