Mucus helps to moisten and protect the airways. Many musicians place the reed in their mouths to moisten them with saliva. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Gummed (water activated) tape dispensers measure, dispense, moisten, and cut gummed or water-activated adhesive tape. Use of a fungicide to moisten the stratifying vermiculite will help prevent fungal diseases. This was traditionally eaten with a gravy or sauce, to moisten the pudding. The respiratory epithelium functions to moisten and protect the airways. For example, licking can moisten the adhesive surfaces of stamps or envelopes. Artificial tears are also used to moisten contact lenses and in eye examinations. Surface flux from underlying vegetation, such as forest, acts to moisten the overlying air mass. They too were baked hard in summer and allowed to moisten for consumption at Christmas.