SUPPLY OF RAW MATERIAL. 133 



grease, tar, &c., and others damaged, or destroyed, even by 

 water ; but none of these agents injure the fabrics, which are 

 known under the name of the metallic, or "vulcanized fabrics." 

 It has now been proved, by several years' experience in its use, 

 that by this discovery, a substance is produced, possessing all 

 the valuable properties of gum-elastic in the highest degree of 

 perfection, without the imperfections pertaining to the native 

 gum, which must have prevented gum-elastic ever being applied 

 to many purposes of great utility, for which, by the removal of 

 its objectionable qualities, it is now made available. 



When a new material is in any way made available to the 

 arts and manufactures, it is impossible to set bounds to its appli- 

 cation, or to the extent of the benefits to be derived from it. ■ 



Where the supplies of the material are obtained, as is the 

 case with the India rubber, from regions that for various reasons 

 can never be extensively cultivated ; where the spontaneous 

 productions of nature are profuse, and where the inhabitants of 

 such regions appear incapable of higher effort and enterprise 

 than is required simply to gather those productions ; there are 

 good reasons for anticipating additional advantages from an 

 improvement, other than mere usefulness in its application. 

 The indirect advantages which are derived from it, in the 

 extension of commerce, and advancement of the general, mutual 

 interests of mankind, are many. 



It would appear that some portions of the earth are designed, 

 in the economy of Providence, to furnish these abundant sup- 

 plies of nature's spontaneous productions, to be improved in 

 civilized life, in countries where nature is less bounteous, and 

 art is more prolific. 



In view of the vast increase in the consumption of gum-elas- 

 tic, the question is frequently asked, " can the supply be kept 

 up ?" The answer has already been given, and it may be fur- 

 ther said that it appears to be so ordered, in the wisdom of 

 Providence, that those things which are indispensable to the 

 comfort and happiness of man, are most abundant and most 

 easily obtained. The truth of this is exemplified in the abund- 



