The compositions, when hardened, may be worked like wood or bone; but, in some instances, it is proposed to mould, shape, or otherwise treat the compositions so as to render them better suited to the purpose for which they are intended, prior to submitting them to the hardening process. Thus when it is desired to use these new compositions in combination with common flexible vulcanized caoutchouc, the parts intended to be hardened may be united to a connecting band, or connecting pieces of flexible vulcanized caoutchouc, by cementing or pressing together the surfaces required to be joined, before the heating or curing process has been effected; by which means, during the process of curing, the abutting elastic and non-elastic surfaces will become firmly united together. * * * * * Another mode of applying the composition consists in uniting them in their plastic or green state with iron, or other metals or rigid substances, which will bear a high degree of artificial heat without alteration or damage, roughened in such portions of its surface as are intended to be brought into contact with the compound of caoutchouc or gutta-percha, and the compound is then applied to the roughened surface of the article. When it is desired that the compound of caoutchouc or gutta-percha shall serve as a covering to the iron or other substance, a thin sheet of the compound (sometimes one thirty-second part of an inch in thickness or less) is pressed with great care, upon the iron or other substance, so as to expel all air from between the adjoining surfaces, and to cause the most perfect union and adhesion, as the coated article is bound with strips or ribbons of cloth, or other suitable material, whereby the compound is kept in close contact with the article during the process of hardening. The combined materials thus treated, will be found to possess the qualities desired—the iron or other substance giving strength and the compound giving a hard and durable surface. In this way may be produced many articles used in and about harnesses or carriages, such as saddle trees, buckles, terrels, bits, stirrups, martingale rings, dasher-irons, and articles intended to be used as furniture, either in whole or in part, and a great variety of other useful objects. A. FORD. _Preparing and dissolving in naptha or oil of turpentine, vulcanized India-rubber for the purpose of water-proofing, and for all or any of the other purposes for which the same not so prepared and dissolved is now applicable, and expressly for the coating of iron ships’ bottoms._ Dated June 27th, 1856.