Wadding Quote.

I observed here a kind of long Moss I had never seen before; it grows in great Quantities upon the large Trees, and hangs down 3 or 4 Yards from the Boughs; it gives a noble, ancient and hoary Look to the Woods; it is of a whitish green Colour, but when dried, is black and like Horsehair.  This is the Indians use for wadding their Guns, and making their Couches soft under the Skins of Beasts, which serve them for Beds.  They use it also for Tinder, striking Fire by slashing the Pans of their Guns into a handful of it, and for all other Uses where old Linnen would be necessary.

A Voyage To Georgia Begun  in  the  Year  1735.

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/state2/voyage/voyagetogeorgia1-41.htmI