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NON-ELECTRIC PROPERTY. 143 



better than canvas, because it does not crack. It is bronzed 

 and gilded as easily, and with the same effect, as wood or 

 leather. It is japanned like leather, and forms a ground for 

 japanned fabrics, that will not crack like the paint ground 

 ordinarily used. It is mixed with any color that is desired in 

 the manufacture, and the color remains unfading. When 

 painted or ornamented with India rubber, mixed with colors in 

 a liquid state, or mixed with colors when the gum is in a plastic 

 state, the colors being incorporated with the material, become 

 as indestructible as the fabric itself 



llTH. NON-ELECTRIC PROPERTY. 



This substance is one of the best non-conductors of elec- 

 tricity, and it is but reasonable to suppose that advantages may 

 be derived from some of the fabrics in connection with electric 

 machines, on account of this property. An anecdote is told of 

 a professor, who, having highly charged an electric machine 

 while wearing India rubber shoes, and standing on the wire, 

 upon taking them off, and resuming his position, he was con- 

 vinced of their non-electric property, by being knocked down 

 without them. 



