VELLUM. 191 



VELLUM. 



This is made of a bat of cotton, of about one-quarter to one- 

 half an inch in thickness, Hke that commonly made and used 

 for cloak wadding. The gum is pressed into, and intermixed 

 with the wadding, at one operation of the spreading callenders ; 

 and like the other fibrous fabrics, it is manufactured with 

 great rapidity. 



It is made impervious to air and water with much less gum 

 than the woven fabrics ; besides, the gum is not liable to peel off 

 as it does from other fabrics. It is, for most purposes, the 

 cheapest, as well as the best of the non-elastic fabrics ; and when 

 corded, as described in the chapter on corded goods, page — , 

 bids fair to supersede the coated cloths entirely for many pur- 

 poses, particularly for light articles of wearing apparel, and 

 also, when corded, for the heavier uses of India rubber can- 

 vas. It is made, when desired, in imitation of various kinds 

 of morocco, kid, and buff leather, and of different thicknesses 

 and degrees of strength, according to the thickness of the 

 wadding. When embossed in imitation of hair cloth, or other- 

 wise ornamented and perforated, it may be used for the cover- 

 ing of chair and sofa seats. 



The most important uses of it will probably be those of book- 

 binding and air-work, a particular description of which may be 

 found under those heads. 



It may be safely recommended for most, if not all, the pur- 

 poses for which common sheep skins and skivers are used, and 

 for many uses it is more durable than the best calf or Russia 

 leather. For wearing apparel, various thicknesses of this fabric, 

 with different kinds of nap, are suitable, according to the climate 

 or the occupation and wants of the wearer ; it is exactly suitable, 

 on account of its softness and durability, to be used for the cover- 

 ing of counting-house, portable and school desks, and writing 

 tables. 



