34 GOODYEAR ON GUM -ELASTIC. 



give so correct an idea of the surface of the earth, or of the rela- 

 tive situation of places, as a globe. One of three feet in diam- 

 eter may be made a complete atlas. 



An attempt to make them of gum-elastic was made by the 

 writer soon after the discovery of the acid gas process. Speci- 

 mens were at that time made of the pure sheet gum, cured by 

 the acid process. 



These attempts have been followed up at intervals, until the 

 present time. They have been made of the knit goods, coated 

 florence, and the plated fibrous fabrics. On many accounts, the 

 last-named fabric and sheet gum may in general be best for this 

 use. They are made of various sizes, and when embossed by 

 the method described in the manufacture of hollow-ware, they 

 may be made to supply the present deficiency of globes for the 

 blind. 



The utility and importance of these globes to the cause of 

 education must be fully apparent, when it is understood that 

 any child can be furnished with a perfect globe at a price to 

 come within his means. When used, these globes are inflated 

 with air, and when collapsed, may be folded in so small a com- 

 pass as to be no incumbrance under any circumstances. When 

 the large sizes are filled with hydrogen, they become a highly 

 ornamental and beautiful object. 



A convenient method of arranging those that are filled with 

 air for use, may be seen from the plate, fig. 1 ; suspended from 

 the ceiling, by a cord running to it from the side of the room, 

 fig. 2, or by its axis, like other globes. Another convenient 

 method is to place the inflated globes upon a light hoop stand, 

 or a suspended hoop, figs. 3 and 4. 



OUTLINE GLOBES. 



After what has been said on the subject of outline maps, com- 

 ments upon this article are unnecessary, except to say that the 

 same general remarks will apply to globes as to maps. 



