SECT. XX. CORK- 451 



It seems to exist in a great variety of plants com- Uses. 

 bined with other ingredients. It may be separated 

 from resins by alcohol. It may be separated from 

 the berries of the Misletoe by means of water, and 

 from other vegetable substances by other processes. 

 It is said to be contained both in opium and in 

 mastic.* But from these substances it cannot be 

 extracted in sufficient quantities to make it worth 

 the labour. It is applied to a great many useful 

 purposes both in medicine and the arts, to which, 

 from its great pliability and elasticity, it is un- 

 commonly well adapted. In the countries where it 

 is produced the natives make boots and shoes of it, 

 and often use it by way of candle. 



SECTION XX. 



- Cork. 

 THE substance known by the name of Cork is How ma- 







the outer and exfoliated bark of the Quercus Suber "< a 

 or Cork-tree, a species of Oak that grows in great 

 abundance in France, Spain, and Italy. But to 

 prevent its natural exfoliation which is always ir- 

 regular, and to disengage it in convenient portions, 

 a longitudinal incision is made in the bark from the 

 root to the top of the stem ; and a transverse and 

 circular incision at each extremity. The outer 



* Thomson's Chemistry, vol. iv. p. 393 

 1 G 2 



