400 Miscellanies. 
often nearly transparent. In some specimens the minute folie are 
perceptible, giving them a striated appearance. Few localities af- 
ford better specimens. 
Sulphuret of molybdenum,—in imperfect hexahedral prisms: struc- 
ture lamellar. Abundant, though disseminated in dots throughout 
the mass. 
Mica,—black : in six-sided tables. Good specimens can be obtained. 
Garnet,—occurs abundantly: crystallized imperfectly, and massive. 
This locality, as yet, has been but partially explored. 
J. W. Foster, of pepe Ohio. 
Brimfield, Mass., Dee. 7th, 1837. 
5. Caoutchouc.—Much attention has been bestowed upon this 
article, with a view of discovering some solvent or mode of redu- 
cing it to a consistence capable of receiving any desirable form, or of 
being applied to the surface of cloth in the form of varnish, in order 
to render it water proof; but believing that no method has yet been 
made public by which it could be used with economy and facility, I 
am induced to offer the following, with the hope that it will be found 
both useful and interesting. 
I wish to premise, that all hitherto known solvents of caoutchouc 
are liable to objections. Ina trial which I once made, I found 
that oil of turpentine dissolved raw caoutchouc tardily; and on hav- 
ing been spread on calico and exposed to the atmosphere, it re- 
mained glutinous at the end of a year. 
About two years ago, I was induced to perform some experiments 
with caoutchouc, and I accidentally ascertained, that if it be pre- 
viously cut fine and immersed in common sul. ether or a solution of 
(some alkali? I used) carb. soda, 2 0z. to a pint of water, for a 
week, and then put into good new oil of turpentine, it dissolved with 
facility ; and when spread on cloth and exposed to a dry atmos- 
phere, it speedily dries and assumes its original Broneniaes usually 
in twenty four hours. i 
Calico, linen, or articles of clothing, may receive a coating with 
this solution, sufficient to render them water proof without materially 
altering their general appearance or injuring their pliability. 
When less elasticity and more body is required, I hazard a con- 
jecture, that this solution may economically be diluted or mixed with 
asphaltum, Venice turpentine, or some other articles soluble in oil 
of turpentine. Arza Anprews, M. D. 
Meriden, Ct., Nov. 29th, 1837. 
