182 GOODYEAR ON G UM- E L AST I C. 



uniformity of shape, the cheapest kinds of them may be equal 

 to the most costly, so far as tone is concerned, which will bring 

 within the reach of all classes, instruments equally good. 

 Among those which have been made are the following. 



FIFE. 



Gum-elastic ivory was first applied to this instrument as being 

 the most simple in its construction. The experiment was en- 

 tirely successful. 



FLUTE. 



For this instrument caoutchouc or gum-elastic ivory has pro- 

 perties peculiarly adapted. Being impervious to moisture, it is 

 not, like ivory or wood, liable to spHt, and for tone it far sur- 

 passes either of those materials. 



CLARIONET. 



The gum-elastic ivory is also adapted to clarionets, the tone 

 of which it improves even more than that of the flute. 



CLARIONET REEDS. 



India rubber whalebone has the qualities suitable for the reeds 

 of clarionets and other wind instruments — toughness and elas- 

 ticity. 



