38 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



INKSTANDS. 



Among the numerous kinds of inkstands, made from a 

 variety of substances, such as cork, wood, earthenware, china, 

 stone, glass, leather, and the metals, those made of vulcanized 

 gum-elastic may fairly claim particular notice, especially for 

 pocket inkstands. They are durable as metal, extremely light, 

 or (when loaded with metal) as heavy as may be desired, and 

 have one peculiar superiority, that of being soft to the pen, and 

 may have the pen-wiper of gum-elastic sponge attached to, 

 and forming a part of the inkstand. 



They can be manufactured of any desirable shape, either of 

 caoutchouc whalebone or ivory, combined with elastic com 

 pound and sponge, advantageously. 



IMPROVED INKSTAND. 



An improved inkstand is made from caoutchouc whalebone, 

 elastic compound, and sponge combined. The ink is raised by 

 compression in different ways. In the one represented in the 

 plate, fig. , the ink is contained in a sack within the inkstand. 

 In that represented by fig. , the sides of the inkstand are 

 formed of elastic compound. In both kinds, turning a screw 

 raises the ink : in fig. , it is done by the follower of the sack ; 

 and in fig. , by the top of the inkstand being screwed down. 



INKSTAND PACKING. 



This is used in a variety of ways, for making inkstands of 

 different kinds tight in the joints. As the public are more or 

 less acquainted with this use of the article, a description of them 

 is considered unnecessary. 



