Hard vulcanized ruhl.x. termed vulcanite, and sometimes ebonite, is made into a great many sm211 such as combs, chains, bracelets, boxes, penholders, paper knives, knife-hanħes, buttons, etc., as a substitute for materials like horn, bone, ivory, and jet. As in the case of these substances, it is formed into various objects by molding. cutting, carving, polishing, and other processes. Vast numbers of these articles are now sold, but some time must elapse before the quality of this material is thoroughly jested. The black color of vulcanite ornaments has still a tendency to turn gray, but the brittleness which was a fault of combs made of it a few years ago, seems to be over come. 'With respect to objects of considerable size, vulcanite has been made into furniture, ornamental tiles, and even rails for railroads. A kind of vulcanite is now very largely employed as an insulator in electric cables, experience having shown that there are certain objections to being used for this purpose.
There are some useful applications of india-rubber in the liquid or semi-liquid state, which it is worth while to note; thus, when melted at 398° F., and mixed with half its of slaked lime, it forms a useful cement or lute, which can be easily loosened, but it will dry and harden if re lead is added. A very tenacious glue is formed by heating C., coal tar, and chel.--ac together. It forms an ingredient in some special kinds of varnishes, and it also inap::cve3 the lubricating qualities of mineral oils, when a small quantity is dissolved in them.
In Great Britain there are six or eight large india-rubber factories, each employing from 400 to 600 hands, besides a great number of smaller works. The manufacture of C. is also an extensive industry in the United States, and in some continental countries, especially France. According to an estimate made by M. Ballard in 1867, the annual French consumpt of raw india-rubber was then 180,000 lbs., the value of which in a manufactured state was fully £3,000,000. This would indicate that the industry is more largely developed in France than in England. In most india-rubber factories a large number of the work-people are females; and with respect to the operatives engaged in them generally, there is this peculiarity, that as no great skill is required on their part, employment in such works has proved quite a boon to many persons who have never learned a trade.
CAP, in ship-building, is a strong, thick block of wood fixed near the top of each mast; it has s, hole to receive the upper end of the lower mast, and another to receive the lower end of the topmast, with eyebolts to aid in hoisting the topmast. There is also a C. of smaller size at the point of junction between the topmast and the top-gallant least. When made of iron, the C. is called a craw.