Tinder

Tinder, an inflammable material, usually made of half-burned linen. It was one of the chief means of procuring fire before the introduction of chemical matches. The tinder was made to catch the sparks caused by striking a piece of steel with a flint; and the ignited tinder enabled the operator to light a match dipped in sulphur. This intermediate step was necessary in consequence of the impossibility of making the tinder flame. Partially decayed wood, especially that of willows and other similar trees, also affords tinder; and certain fungi furnish the German tinder, or Amadou (q.v.).