Leather-like Amianthus

This bears a strong resemblance to the Oak Leather or Xylostroma Giganteum of English Fungi, tab. 358, so as scarcely to be known by outward appearance, unless with the help of a microscope; when we find the one formed of exceeding fine filaments, and the other of hollow filaments. They are both flexible like leather, and to the touch equally soft. In cutting they require much the same force and sharpness of the instrument; they also tear nearly alike, with a shaggy filamentous appearance. One very sure test remains, that the one being heated red hot does not apparently undergo any change, but recovers its former appearance when taken from the fire; while the other burns away like touchwood or a fusee, or like the spunk prepared from Bol. ignarius, E. F. 132, or Fungus Tinder.