Miscellaneous Intelligence. 291 



Dr. Montgomerie suggests, among the less immediately obvious uses to 

 which Gutta Percha is applicable, that of making raised type for the 

 blind, and embossed maps for the same unfortunate beings: it takes a 

 clear, sharp impression, and is also tough and durable : he thinks it 

 would likewise be found serviceable in stopping decayed teeth. 



In the abstract of the new patents, given in the October number of the 

 Magazine of Science and the Arts, we notice that C. Hancock, Esq. 

 has taken out a patent for improving the manufacture of Gutta Percha 

 He suggests several methods of purifying the substance, which general 

 ly comes home much mixed with extraneous matter : — it may be dis 

 solved by heat and strained ; or passed through a screw press ; or mel 

 ted by the addition of rectified oil of turpentine, and after filtering 

 through flannel or felt the solvent may be evaporated. In every case, 

 the Gutta Percha should form a residuum, of the consistency of dough 

 or putty, this plastic slate being gained by the maintenance of a suitable 



temperature during the above process. 



Mr. Hancock would combine Gutta Percha with Caoutchouc, and a 

 substance called Jiniaioan, (we have no clue to what this " jintawan" 

 may be,) in order to form an elastic material, impervious to water; va- 

 rying the proportions according to the greater or less degree of hard- 

 ness or elasticity required. For making elastic bands, a compound is 

 used, where 50 parts of Gutta Percha are combined with 24 of "jinta- 

 wan," 20 of caoutchouc, and 6 of orpiment or sulphuret. From a mix- 

 ture of these, Mr. Hancock also prepares a light porous and spongy 

 material, suited for stuffing or forming the seats of chairs, cushions, 

 matrasses, saddles, &c. ; likewise, springs of clocks, clasps, belts, gar- 

 ters and string. Wherever the requisite is flexibility and elasticity, then 

 me quantity of Gutta Percha should be diminished :— and increased 

 where firmness is wanted. By prolonging the process, much hardness 

 may be acquired, and moulds and balls of Gutta Percha will bear turn- 

 mg in the lathe, like wood or ivory. The material is also applicable to 

 us eful and ornamental purposes, as picture frames, door-handles, walk- 

 mg-sticks, chessmen, handles of swords and knives, buttons, combs, 



«utes, &c.&c. , ' 



% the admixture of sulphuric acid, or of a tenth or larger part of 

 vegetable wax or tallow, any degree of solubility, pliancy arid softness 

 m ay be acquired : or the composition may be used as varnish, to cover 

 other materials, concealing any odor, and imparting a surface, imper- 

 ious to water. In printing and painting of silk or cotton, it seems ap- 

 P'^ble to many uses, for it amalgamates readily with colors ; when 

 'oterposed between two thin sheets of gold leaf or tin foil, it combines 

 mem firmly in one. , , ■ 



. Numerous are the purposes to which Mr. Hancock proposes applying 

 tl * Gutta Percha ; but the above-named may suffice for our readers. 

 . ^tta Percha.— E. Soubeiran ; (Journ. de Pharm. et de Unm., 

 V 1847.)— The chemical relations of Gutta Percha are almost iden- 

 tl( *l with those of caoutchouc. Separated from impurities by hot water, 

 a " d f rom the accompanying resins by alcohol and ether, the substance 

 J* obtained in a state of purity by Soubeiran. Submitted to analysis, 

 11 gave carbon 87-8, hydrogen 12-2 ; while according to Faraday, 

 ca outchouc gave carbon 87-2, hydrogen 12-8. 



