INDIAN RUBBER. 241 
of milky-white colour, and is conducted by a tube or 
leaf, supported by clay, into a vessel placed to receive 
it. Some writers assert that, on mere exposure to the 
air, it gradually hardens; and others that, for this 
purpose, it goes through a certain process, which the 
Indians keep a profound secret. It is usually brought 
to Europe in the shape of pear-shaped bottles, which are 
formed by spreading the juice over a mould of clay. 
These are exposed to a dense smoke, or to a fire, till they 
become so dry as not to stick to the ringers ; and then, 
by certain instruments of iron or wood, they are orna- 
mented on the outside with various figures. This done, 
the clay in the inside is moistened with water and 
picked out. 
Indian rubber is remarkable for the flexibility and 
elasticity which it acquires on attaining a solid state ; 
and also for the numerous useful purposes to which it 
is capable of being applied. By the Indians it is some- 
times formed into boots, which are impenetrable by 
water', and which, when smoked, have the appearance of 
leather. Bottles are made of it, to whose necks are 
fastened hollow reeds, through which the liquor con- 
tained in them can be squirted at pleasure. One of 
these, filled with water, is always presented to each of 
the guests at their entertainments. Flambeaux are like- 
wise formed of this substance, which give a very bril- 
liant light ; and it is said that a torch of Indian rubber, 
an inch and a half in diameter, and two feet long, will 
burn twelve hours. The inhabitants of Quito pre- 
pare a species of oil-cloth with the hardened juice of 
this tree. 
The principal uses to which Indian rubber is applied 
by us are, for the effacing of black-lead marks; for 
flexible syringes, tubes,, and other instruments used by 
surgeons and chemists ; and for the formation, by means 
of turpentine or linseed oil, of a varnish for air-balloons. 
Various experiments have been made to dissolve this 
substance, so that it may assume its naturally elastic 
state, under any figure that may be required. This has 
voi/ ii. M 
