or Cork-tree, in botany. See Quercus.

Fossil-Cork, a name given to a kind of stone. It seems to be a species of amiantus, consisting of flexible fibres loosely interwoven, and somewhat resembling vegetable cork. It is the lightest of all stones; by fire it is fusible, and forms a black glass. It possesses the general qualities of amiantus. See that article.

Latin comitatus Corcaginensis, a county of the province of Munster in Ireland. It is the most populous and considerable county of the kingdom next to that of Dublin; containing near a million of acres, and being divided into 15 baronies. It is bounded on the east by the county of Waterford; on the west by the ocean; by Limerick on the north; and by the Vergivian sea on the south and south-east. Including Desmond it is 85 miles in length, and 50 in breadth; but is very unequal both ways. Though a considerable part of the country is boggy, mountainous, and barren; yet by the industry of the inhabitants it is pretty well cultivated and improved, and contains several good towns and harbours.

city of Ireland, and capital of the county of that name. It is an episcopal see; and is the largest and most populous of any in the kingdom, Dublin alone excepted. It is situated on the river Lee, 15 miles from its mouth, and is a place of great trade. Though smaller vessels can come up to the key, yet the larger generally ride at a place called pagage. The houses in general are well built, but many of the streets are too narrow. Its churches are unexceptionably the neatest and most elegantly finished of any in the kingdom. This city, together with its liberties, makes a county. It was built, or rather fortified, by the Danes, in the ninth century. The greatest part of it stands on a marshy island surrounded by the river Lee, which also runs through the city, and divides it into several canals. On this account some have thought the air very moist and unwholesome. Complaints have also been made against the water as impure; but, from comparing the bills of mortality with those of other cities, it appears that the city of Cork is far from being unhealthy. This hath been accounted for from the influx of the tide, by which a stagnation of air is prevented. The first charter of Cork was bestowed by Henry III, and afterwards ratified by Edward I, Edward II, and Edward III. Edward IV. granted a new charter; and the city received many favours from the succeeding monarchs. King James I. gave the citizens a new and ample charter; and king Charles I. what is called the Great Charter, by which, among others, a clause in king James's charter was enforced, making this CORK

This city a county of itself. Though a garrison, it was never a place of much strength, as appeared at the revolution. It was then reduced in a short time by Marlborough; and the troops that were then in it, to the number of 4 or 5000, made prisoners of war. The last royal charter was granted in 1735, by which all the aldermen that had passed the chair were empowered to act as justices of peace. The inhabitants in general are active and industrious; carrying on various manufactures, and a great inland trade, especially for live cattle. But the wealth and grandeur of Cork arises chiefly from its excellent harbour, where almost any number of ships may lie with safety. According to some accounts, in times of peace, 1200 vessels have been known to resort to this harbour in a year. Ships from England, bound to all parts of the West Indies, take in here a great part of their provisions; and on the same account the haven of Cork is visited by those of most other nations. The merchants of Cork carry on a very extensive foreign trade, which is daily increasing. Vast quantities of salt beef are exported from this place. The slaughtering season continues from the month of August to the end of January; during which space it has been computed that they kill seldom fewer than 100,000 head of black cattle. The rest of their exports consist of butter, candles, hides raw and tanned, linen-cloth, pork, calves, lambs, and rabbit-skins, tallow, wool for England, linen and woolen yarn, worsted, &c. Notwithstanding all this, however, the city of Cork is exposed to some inconveniences from its situation, particularly to inundations. It is situated in W. Long. 8° 25' N. Lat. 51° 40'.

Cork Jacket, or Waistcoat, is an invention of one Mr Dubourg, a gentleman very fond of swimming, but subject to the cramp, which led him to consider of some method by which he might enjoy his favourite diversion with safety. The waistcoat is composed of four pieces of cork, two for the breasts, and two for the back; each pretty near in length and breadth to the quarters of a waistcoat without flaps; the whole is covered with coarse canvas, with two holes to put the arms through; there is a space left between the two back pieces, and the same between each back and breast piece, that they may fit the easier to the body. Thus the waistcoat is open only before, and may be fastened on the wearer with strings, or, if it should be thought more secure, with buckles, and leather straps. This waistcoat does not weigh above 12 ounces, and may be made up for about 5 or 6 shillings expense. Mr Dubourg tried his waistcoat in the Thames, and found that it not only supported him on the water, but that two men could not sink him, though they used their utmost efforts for that purpose. If those who use the sea occasionally, and especially those who are obliged to be almost constantly there, were to have those waistcoats, it would be next to impossible that they should be drowned. It would also be of vast service to those that, for the sake of health, bathe in the sea; and even the most delicate and timorous young lady might by the help of one of these jackets venture into a rough sea. See Air-Jacket, and Bamboo-Habit.