INTRODUCTION. 



him the design to palm them upon the community, or recommend 

 gum-elastic for uses for which the substance was never intended. 

 Although the native Indians may drink it in the form of sap, 

 with impunity, he is not so infatuated with the subject as to re- 

 commend it as an article of food. 



It should not be worn next the skin, nor should one sleep 

 enveloped by it ; such are not the legitimate uses of the article. 

 The extent and variety of the applications of this substance are 

 sufficiently numerous and important, without stretching the list 

 of them beyond reason. The views of the inventor, as regards 

 these inventions and applications, are practically demonstrated 

 in reference to them all, by the production of the articles de- 

 scribed, with few exceptions, and of these, specimens are pro- 

 duced. 



He presents no theory of a subject unsupported by demon- 

 stration, nor are these demonstrations mere specimens for exhi- 

 bition, as of figures made in wax, or to gratify idle curiosity. It 

 is generally well known that many of the articles are exten- 

 sively used and highly approved ; and the inventor believes that 

 all classes of articles herein recommended, (if not each particular 

 article,) will, in like manner, be found useful for the purposes for 

 which they are designed. And as to the fact of a great im- 

 provement being made in gum-elastic, by the heating or vul- 

 canizing process, and the. peculiar and extraordinary proper- 

 ties of the substance made known, by the discovery of the 

 writer, the truth is too well established, by seven years' trial, 

 to admit of a doubt. 



The inventor does not deem it at all presumptuous to present 

 the idea of this subject, as being associated with the cause of 

 humanity and philanthropy. When the great number of articles 

 for the protection of life, health, and property, to which the 

 substance and the fabrics treated of are perfectly adapted, are 

 taken into consideration, the reader will admit that too much 

 has not been assumed. 



As regards his own pecuniary interests, under the present 

 patent laws of the country, and considering, too, the uncertain 



