or EARTH-FLAX, in natural history, a fibrous, flexible, elastic, mineral substance, consisting of short, abrupt, and interwoven filaments. It is found in Germany, in the strata of iron ore, sometimes forming veins of an inch in diameter. There is another kind of amianthus, which is to be met with in the marble quarries of Wales. But this kind Linnaeus affirms to be an asbestos*. The amianthus does not give fire with steel, nor ferment with acids. It endures an intense heat without injury to its texture.