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THE CORK-TREE. 



The Cork-tree/' continued Mr. Long- 

 hurst, to which I next call your attention, 

 is of the oak family, and bears a kind of acorn, 

 although its leaves much resemble those of the 

 sweet chestnut." 



But how very different from oak-wood !" 

 exclaimed Harry. Cork is softer than any 

 wood I know !" 



Have you forgotten, my learned young 

 Sir, that cork is only the hark of the tree 

 which produces it ? " 



I certainly did not think of that," said 

 Harry. 



The Cork oak,'' continued Mr. Long- 

 hurst, is not so large a tree as the common 



