PSEUDO-FIBERS 



239 



Fig. 224. — Bamboo {Bamhusa vulgaris, Grass Family, Graminea). Plants 

 in leaf. A, cluster of spikclets. B, spikelet with stamens protruding. 

 F, flower. (LeMaout and Docaisne, 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 resemljle 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 



