Bark tool

1760. Of forest barking-irons there are two species, and several varieties. They are used, not to scarify or remove the scaly decaying epidermis, but to remove the entire mass of cortical layers of the oak, for the purposes of the tanner. The first species includes four varieties: the smaller instruments (figs. 404, 405, and 406.) are for under-growth, or copse bark, or small branches; the largest (fig. 407.) is for the larger branches and trunks; the long blade (fig. 408.) is the second species, and is used for cross-cutting the bark into proper lengths, before it is removed by the scarifiers.