DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 167 



Fomes fomentarius. Amadou polypore. 



This is a parasitic fungus ou oak, beech, birch, and ash trees, from which is pre- 

 pared the amadou or German tinder. Pileus bracket-like, hoof-shaped, 4 to 7 inches 

 across, 3 to 5 inches thick at the base, attenuated toward the margin, smooth, dis- 

 tinctly concentrically furrowed, dingy brown, becoming hoary; cuticle thick, hard, 

 persistent; context rather soft, compact, spongy, foxy rust color; tubes very long — 

 ^ to 2 inches; pores minute, subangular, ash colored. 



Pseudo Fiber. — While it is hardly to be placed in the category of fibrous sub- 

 stances, slices of the fungus have been made into caps, table mats, artificial flowers, 

 etc., specimens of which are preserved in the Kew Mus. 



This species and other large Polyporecv may be treated to form " Spongio lignine" 

 or "soft amadou," which has the appearance of a pliable leather and has been found 

 valuable for chest protectors, hat linings, and various household purposes. The large 

 pieces have even been sewed together for making dresses and coarse garments by some 

 of the poorer inhabitants of Austria and Hungary. Badham (Esculent Funguses of 

 England, 18(33) related that several eminent surgeons of London used it extensively 

 in their practice, preferring it toxchamois skin on account of its greater elasticity. 

 In America it is largely employed by dentists as an absorbent. Salniasius describes 

 the process of its preparation for soft amadou. The fungus is first boiled, then 

 beaten to pieces in a mortar, next hammered out to deprive it of its woody fibers, 

 and, after being steeped in a strong solution of 'nitrate of potash, dried in the sun. 

 (B. T. Galloway.) F. fomentarius has been employed from remote antiquity for the 

 development and preservation of fire. 



In the manuscript notes furnished me by Mr. Galloway mention is also made of 

 Daclalia qnercina, which is common on oak stumps, but which Hartig (Diseases of Trees) 

 suspects to be also parasitic. Its preparation for tinder is accomplished after being 

 beaten out and steeped in a solution of nitrate of potassa. F. igniarius, the fire 

 fungus, is also mentioned, prepared in the same manner as D. quercina. This is the 

 parasitic growth most frequently met with upon dicotyledonous trees. 



Mr. Galloway states that the Bhizomorphw have the strongest, coarsest fibers of any 

 growths, but no record appears of their having been utilized in any manner. It would 

 seem, perhaps, not impossible that the fine felt-like substance of Zasmirdium cel- 

 lare Fr., the golden fibers of Ozonium auricomum Lk., and other filamentous mycelial 

 growths might, under stress of necessity, be made into fabrics of some economic value. 



Formio (Span.). New Zealand Flax. See Phormium. 

 Forster's palm lily (Austr.). Gordyline austraiis. 

 Fraxinus nigra. Northern Swamp Ash. 



Exogen. Oleaceai. A tree, 75 to 90 feet. 



Common names. — Black ash, hoop ash, ground ash, northern swamp ash. 



Southern Newfoundland, northern shores Gulf of St. Lawrence, to Delaware, the 

 mountains of Virginia, southern Illinois, and northwestern Arkansas. The wood is 

 used for interior finish, fencing, barrel hoops, cabinetmaking, etc. 



Woody Fiber. — The wood is easily separated into thin layers, and on this account 

 is largely employed as material for basket manufacture. Splint basket material is 

 also made from white ash, white oak, hickory, basswood, etc. The different kinds 

 of wood are prepared in the same manner. In preparing the wood for basket mak- 

 ing the log is split as near the eye as possible, shaved to the proper thickness, pounded 

 with a heavy hammer on an anvil ; the stick is then held in such a position across the 

 anvil that by pounding it the grains are loosened so that they can be pulled apart; 

 these strips are then smoothed and braided on blocks, which, after being dried ? are 

 tightened and are ready for the rims. 



