Because of a shortage in materials from which buttons are usually made, including plastics, the United States Army has ordered 2,592,000 “vegetable ivory” buttons, made from tagua nuts produced in Ecuador. Tests of the tagua nut buttons proved the hard material withstands pressure and heat without cracking and remains color-fast after numerous washings and long exposure to intense artificial sunlight. They may be used on all soldiers’ garments except where metal buttons are required.