CORK, the bark of a tree of the same name, a species of Quercus. See QUERCUS.
To take off the bark they make an incision from the top to the bottom of the tree, and at each extremity another round the tree, perpendicular to the first. When stripped from the tree, which does not therefore die, the bark is piled up in a pond or ditch, and loaded with heavy stones to flatten it, and reduce it into tables: hence it is taken to be dried; and when sufficiently dry, put in bales for carriage. If care be not taken to strip the bark, it splits and peels off itself; being pushed up by another bark formed underneath.
The bark of cork, as well as the acorn, are of some use in medicine; being both reputed astringents, after being burnt and powdered when used externally; but the chief employ of the former is, to put in shoes, slippers, &c. and to stop bottles. The Spaniards burn it to make that kind of light black we call Spanish black, used by painters. Cups made of cork, are said by some to be good for hectic persons to drink out of. The Egyptians made coffins of cork; which being lined with a resinous composition, preserved dead bodies uncorrupted. The Spaniards line stone-walls with it, which not only renders them very warm, but corrects the moisture of the air.