PSEUDO-FIBERS 239 
Fic. 224.—Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris, Grass Family, Graminee). Plants 
in leaf. A, cluster of spikelets. B, spikelet with stamens protruding. 
F, flower. (LeMaout and Decaisne, Knuth.)—A tree attaining 26 m. 
in height; stems hollow; leaves rough; flowers concealed by bracts; 
fruit a grain. 
70. Pseudo-fibers are commonly more or less spongy 
masses of material which are most useful as absorbents, al- 
though serving also for other purposes. Amadou and peat- 
moss are good examples. 
Amadou or spunk is a felt-like layer of exceedingly slender 
fibrils found within the rind of a shelf fungus (Fig. 226). Its 
most important use is as an absorbent in dentistry. Sheets 
of it resemble chamois or ooze leather and have been used 
for caps, table mats, etc. 
Peat moss (Fig. 227) is largely used as packing material. 
It is especially valued by horticulturists on account of the 
