[AS.] Something to rest or sleep on. Many substances have been used for this purpose, such as'skins, heath and rushes, straw, etc. Feathers have long been used. The East Indians lie on the floor on light mattresses, the Japanese on matting, the Chinese on low bedsteads. In Europe, bedsteads are used with two mattresses - the upper being made of hair or down, and the lower of cotton. The best beds are made with steel springs, covered with a hair mattress. These are coming largely into use, for hygienic reasons, the feather bed not being conducive to health, while the close bed-curtain has been generally discarded. Folding beds, which by day look like a desk or other article of furniture, are now much used.