less. perfect, twice as thick as a common quill, and of rather 
compact ‘consistence, but far from heavy, and hard to cut, either 
when dry or newly pulled from the earth, being naturally dry 
and of no manifest viscosity ; on the exterior they are of a dark 
grey with some thin blackish scales, and within ofa dark tawny 
approaching to red; when cut horizontally they exhibit six or 
- more whitish points between the centre‘and the -circumference, 
which correspond te as many little nerves which traverse it 
lengthwise. No odour is perceptible in them except .an earthy 
and musty scent, very feeble, and the taste somewhat harsh and 
astringent, though not.at all unpleasant. 
MH 
