218 GOOBYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



CAOUTCHOUC VENEERS. 



Perfect imitations of rosewood and other fine veneers are 

 made from the hard compounds, and varieties of color may be 

 produced such as are not found in any of the ornamental 

 woods. They may be made without seam to any pattern ; so 

 that there is no waste in working in applying it. They are 

 sometimes made with cloth on the back, which renders 'them 

 strong enough for many articles, boxes, &c., without any frame- 

 work of wood ; in this case, however, especially where the 

 cloth is a thick one, the substance might more properly be 

 called caoutchouc pasteboard or whalebone. The superiority 

 of these veneers is greatest where wood is most defective, since 

 they are no way liable to warp or crack in the hottest room, 

 and the facility and cheapness with which they are applied, 

 together with little or no labor in finishing, renders the exten- 

 sive use of caoutchouc for veneers a matter of certainty. 



ENAMELED WARE. 



This title includes a very large assortment of articles, such as 

 carriage and harness mountings, and a great variety of articles 

 of hardware, which are commonly plated, tinned, japanned, or 

 covered with leather ; and many articles commonly made of 

 wood, earthen, porcelain, and glass. Various materials may be 

 covered with caoutchouc enamel advantageously : by it iron is 

 protected from rust, glass and crockery from breaking, and wood 

 is rendered stronger and more ornamental. In the manufacture 

 of enameled ware, the caoutchouc material is first applied in 

 the green or plastic state to the iron or other foundation mate- 

 rial, and the whole article thus combined is submitted to a high 

 degree of heat, by means of which the materials are firmly 

 united together and the enamel surface obtained. 



%" 

 i\<.j. 



