amadou

[In Fr. amadou.] A kind of brown match, tinder, or touchwood, brought chiefly from Germany. It is called also spunk, German tinder, and pyrotechnic sponge. It is made by steeping a large fungus-the Boletus igniarius in a strong lye prepared with saltpetre, and afterwards drying it thoroughly. In addition to being employed as a match, it is used to stop hæmorrhage. The Hern and i a Guianensis, a species of Daphnad, readily taking fire with flint and steel, is used as amadou. In India, a fungus, the Polyp or us fomentarius, or an allied species, is employed for the same purpose. (Lindley: Vegetable Kingdom.) The