132 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



loss or damage by water. When the mouth is tied quite tight, 

 these bags may be left in the open field, and even under water, 

 with safety. They were extensively used and approved by the 

 troops of the United States government during the Mexican 

 war. 



PISTOL HOLSTERS. 



Pistol holsters are manufactured of caoutchouc whalebone 

 combined with vegetable leather. See plate , fig. . The 

 advantages claimed for this article over leather are cheapness, 

 keeping their shape under all circumstances, together with their 

 water-proof qualities. 



PORT-FIRE CASES. 



Port-fire cases are manufactured of caoutchouc whalebone or 

 whalebone board. See plate , fig. . 



CANNON COVERS. 



These are made of plated, corded, and barred fabrics, and 

 are designed to be used instead of pent-houses, to protect guns 

 when mounted, and their carriages, from the effects of the sun 

 and weather. 



SWORD SHEATHS. 



Sword, bayonet, and knife sheaths are made either of caout- 

 chouc whalebone or whalebone board. Their great superiority 

 over leather consists in their cheapness, durability, and in not 

 being so liable to get broken by being bent as leather. See 

 plate xii., fig. . 



