PENCILS AND CRAYONS. 41 



PENS. 



The application of caoutchouc whalebone to this use was 

 first suggested by another.* 



The material has evidently the properties suited to this man- 

 ufacture ; and from the trial that has been made of these pens, 

 they appear to combine the good qualities both of the steel and 

 quill pen, and on some accounts to be better than either. They 

 are not rusted by the ink like steel, or softened Uke the quill, 

 and move more smoothly on the paper than either the quill, 

 steel, or gold pen. 



PENCILS AND CRAYONS. 



The use of vulcanized India rubber for pencils and crayons 

 was first made by another, f by mixing the materials used for 

 them, whether black, red, or white, with the gum. By this in- 

 vention a great objection to most lead pencils appears to be 

 overcome ; instead of crumbling like the lead, they are some- 

 what elastic, make a good mark, and may be cut like leather. 



* James A. Dorr, Esq., New York. t Mr. John Rider, New York. 



