BOLETUS IGNIARIUS. ORD. LV. Fungi. 809 
Tubes very slender, équal, colour of tanned leather; in old 
plants stratified, a fresh layer be ing added every year. . Pileus 
very hard, admitting of a polish by rubbing ; marked with con- 
centric bands or ‘iidacss each broad abies indicating @ year's 
growth, and three or four small ones that of the different seasons 
of the year, varying extremely in colour. Mesh fibrous. Bulliard. 
It grows on the trunks of trees, and varies in size from two to 
seven or eight inches in diameter. 
This fungus has been specifically named Igniarius, from -being 
used in some places as tinder. For this purpose the Germans boil 
it in strong lye, dry it, and boil it again in a solution of saltpetre.* 
This Agaric has been much. used by surgeons as an external 
styptic, ad that produced on the oak has teen generally preferred, 
Its use was first borrowed.from the French; and it was successively 
recommended by Brossard, Morand, Bouquot, Faget, Rochard, 
De Mey, who employed it not only to restrain the bleedings in 
wounds, but to prevent haemorrhages after amputations, which it 
is reported to have done as effectually as the ligature. Several 
English surgeons have also published cases in aiiek the Agaric 
was succesfully used, as Sharp, Warner, Gooch, and others. 
It must not be concealed, however, that several others, soon 
after the introduction of the use of the Agaric in this country, 
declared it to be an ineffectual application ; and at this day, 
though it may be useful in certain cases, yet in hemorrhages from 
the larger arteries, the ligature is the only remedy depended on 
both in France and England, 
To prepare the Agaric for surgical purposes, the hard outer part 
is cut off, and the soft inner substance is divided into pieces o 
different sizes, and beat with a hammer to render it still softer. 
* We are informed by Gleditch, that in’ Franconia they beat pieces of the inner 
substance of this fungus, so as to resemble soft ~~ and sew them — to 
form garments. 
* 
No. 54.—vot, 4. of 
7 
