226 CORK. 
Many of the uses of cork were well known to the 
ancients. Its elasticity renders it peculiarly serviceable 
for the stopping of vessels of different kinds; and thus 
preventing either the liquids therein contained from 
running out, or the external air from passing in. The 
use of cork for stopping glass bottles is generally con- 
sidered to have been introduced about the fifteenth 
century. The practice of employing this substance for 
jackets to assist in swimming is very ancient ; and it 
has lately been applied in various ways towards the 
preservation of life, when endangered by shipwreck. 
The floats of nets used for fishing are frequently made 
of cork : pieces fastened together make buoys, which, 
by floating on the surface of the water, afford direc- 
tion for vessels in harbours, rivers, and other places. 
In some parts of Spain it is customary to line the walls 
of houses with cork, which not only renders them 
warm, but prevents the admission of moisture. The 
ancient Egyptians sometimes made coffins of it. On 
account of its lightness, cork is used for false legs ; 
and, from its being impervious by water, it is some- 
times placed betwixt the soles of shoes to keep 
out moisture. When burned, it constitutes that 
light black substance known by the name of Spanish 
black* 
In the cutting of corks for use, the only tool em- 
ployed is a broad, thin, and sharp knife ; and, as the 
cork tends very much to blunt this, it is sharpened 
upon a board by one whet, or stroke on each side, 
after every cut ; and, now and then, upon a common 
whet-stone. The corks for bottles are cut in the 
length way of the bark, and consequently the pores 
lie across. Bungs, and corks of large size, are cut in 
a contrary direction : the pores in these are therefore 
downward, a circumstance which renders them much 
more defective in stopping out the air than the others. 
The parings of cork are sold to the makers of Spanish 
black. 
