The inventor first cuts the vulcanized India-rubber into small pieces, and places it in a boiler, having within it an agitator or stirrer, kept in constant motion during the process. The only openings into this boiler are a main hole with a screw top; a safety-valve which comes into action only when the pressure on the inner surface of the boiler exceeds 25 lbs. to the square inch, and the opening occasioned by the passage of the stem of the agitator, which passes in at the summit. He then applies heat in such a manner as that three-fourths of the outer surface of the boiler shall be at once exposed to its influence, and at a temperature of never more than 300° Fah.; and he continues the same until the India-rubber shall be reduced to the consistence of dough, when he takes it out, and having mixed with it a sufficient portion of French chalk in powder to remove its adhesiveness, passes it a few times through metal rollers, after which it is capable of being dissolved in naptha or oil of turpentine in the manner of ordinary India-rubber. The _rationale_ of the process is, that by means of the heat applied to the boiler, he decomposes a small portion of the vulcanized India-rubber, whereby a gas is generated which, filling the interior of the boiler, acts upon the remaining portion, and softens it. The not allowing the gas to escape is, therefore, a very important feature. N. S. DODGE. _Improvements in treating vulcanized India-rubber or gutta-percha._ Dated January 18th, 1856. This invention relates to a mode of treating vulcanized India-rubber, for rendering scraps or waste pieces, such as old shoes, &c., fit to be re-used without requiring to be vulcanized. The material is reduced into small pieces, and placed in a vessel hermetically closed, and to it is added pure alcohol and bisulphate of carbon (¼lb. of the former, and 10 lbs. of the latter, to 100 lbs. of the material,) the alcohol and the bisulphate being previously mixed together, and then poured over the material to be treated. The vessel is then closed air-tight for two hours, at the end of which the process is complete. W. A. TURNER. _Improvements in the manufacture of elastic tubing._ Dated February 29th, 1856. The invention relates to tubing made of India-rubber and gutta-percha, either separately or in combination, and is designed for rendering such tubing capable of withstanding a pressure of from 50 to 100 lbs. on every square inch of surface. The novelty consists in combining with the aforesaid material a rigid substance, such as a helix or a series of rings of metal or other material. CHAPTER II. AMERICAN PATENTS AND CLAIMS. INTRODUCTORY.