CAOUTCHOtJC OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 87 



before the end of the centtiry it was employed in rendering 

 woven fabrics waterproof; hut on account of its stiffness in 

 cold, and its stickiness in hot weather, it did not meet witli 

 patronage. In 1820 it was, however, more successful, being 

 interwoven with cotton and other fabrics in making articles of 

 elastic dress, such as stockings, braces, garters, bands, and the 

 like. Three years later it was again used to make waterproof 

 clothing, which attained more su.ccess than the first^ being less 

 influenced by changes of temperature. In 1842, being 350 

 years from the time it was first seen by Columbus, the dis- 

 covery was made that India-rubber possessed the power of 

 absorbing sulphur, which rendered it unaffected by extremes of 

 ordinary temperature, even by that of boiling water, and that it 

 could be made to assume any degree of texture, from a thin 

 elastic membrane to the rigidity, and even to the hardness and 

 solidity of iron. In its sulphuretted state it received the name 

 of Vulcanised India-rubber. This discovery has led to many 

 patents being obtained for its use in the manufacture of all 

 kinds of useful articles, from the transparent membrane of the 

 toy balloon to the wheels of carriages, machinery, and railway 

 carriage buffers. Go where we will some application of Caout- 

 chouc is almost sure to meet the eye, and its uses are continually 

 on the increase. Eich and poor, young and old, all share in the 

 benefits derived from the extended use of this remarkable 

 material ; and it may be well said that no vegetable substance 

 has been more prolific for useful appHances in domestic 

 economy. The rubber from Kefoew drasiliensis is in commerce 

 known as Para Eubber. 



2. Central American Eubber is the produce of Gastilloa 

 elastica, a lofty forest tree of the Bread-fruit family (Arto- 

 carpacece), the stem of some trees near the ground measur- 

 ing 10 to 12 feet in circumference, and having leaves 1| feet 

 long and 7 mches broad, sinuated towards the base, pubescent on 

 both sides ; the female flowers consist of numerous ovaries, seated 

 in a kind of perianth, formed of scales which become fleshy, 

 and uniting, form a drupe-like fruit. It is a native of South 



