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308 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



articles of this sort, heretofore made of coated cloths at the fac- 

 tories, are so well known throughout the United States, that a 

 particular description or recommendation of them is unneces- 

 sary. 



It may here be remarked, as has been done elsewhere, that 

 they should not be worn to exercise much in ; and they are most 

 valuable to those persons, such as coachmen, sailors, and team- 

 sters, who have occasion to sit or stand when exposed to storms, 

 or who travel in severely cold weather. 



PONCHOS 



Are cut after the Spanish pattern, which is so much worn in 

 Mexico, and other countries where the method of travelling is 

 mostly on horseback. The Spanish poncho is generally made 

 of heavy woolen stuffs, an opening being cut in the middle for 

 putting it on, over the head. 



The articles here described are made of corded and napped 

 gum-elastic, vellum, plated and napped cloths, or felt, of the 

 above pattern, which is simply an oblong piece of the goods 

 about two yards and a half long, by two yards in breadth. They 

 are a better article than the woolen poncho to sleep on upon the 

 ground, but not so good to sleep under, on account of confining 

 perspiration. (It is believed that this difficulty will be obviated as 

 relates to ponchos, as well as numerous other gum-elastic arti- 

 cles by the manufacture and introduction of the porous fabrics.) 

 They are sometimes made with a pillow in one corner of the 

 blanket, to be inflated at pleasure, as represented plate xix., fig. 1. 

 They are more convenient for riding on horseback than any other 

 form of garment, because the rider has the free use of his arms. 

 They are a better protection from rain than any other, because 

 they can be thrown over the saddle and over the equipments, both 

 before and behind the saddle, and will carry ihe water ofl'; whereas, 

 in the case of a coat or cape, the water is only carried directly 

 under the seat. When worn with the sleeves and leggins, rep 





