IMPROVED SKATES. 201 



compound, in moulds, in the same manner as bat balls. They 

 may be weighted with fluids or metals, so as to stand more or 

 less firmly, and to be more or less liable to be scattered by the 

 ball. 



BILLIARD CUSHIONS. 



The native gum has formerly been used for this purpose with 

 some success. 



A decided improvement has been made in this article by a 

 billiard-table manufacturer in New York,* by the use of tubes 

 made of vulcanized gum, and ropes made of gum-elastic sponge. 

 These cushions or ropes of gum-elastic sponge are joined to the 

 rim of the table, and are considered a great improvement upon 

 billiard tables. 



BILLIARD BALLS. 



It is supposed that caoutchouc ivory may answer better for 

 billiard balls than real ivory, for the reason that there is not the 

 same difference in the weight of its parts that there is in real 

 ivory, and because the material is cheaper, is worked without 

 waste, and can be made of any desirable degree of hardness. 



IMPROVED SKATES. 



A description of this article is given, because it is believed it 

 will form a valuable improvement in skates, and for the reason 

 that it illustrates forcibly, as in the article of Military Caps, the 

 aidvantages which are derived from welding the hard and non- 

 elastic vulcanized fabrics, to the flexible and elastic ones. 



* Mr. Abraham Bassford. 



