scnogena, 92 MUSCALS, 
CLASS II. acroacens (V. K., p. 51.) 
Here also oceur three Alliances ; viz.— 
MUSCALS. Spore-cases immersed or calyptrate. 
LYCOPODALS. Spore-cases axillary or radical. Spores of two sorts : 
FILICALS. Spore-cases marginal or dorsal. Spores of one sort. 
Little of obvious importance to man occurs among the members of th 
alliance, which are objects of botanical interest rather than of medical 
dietetical value. It is needless to detain the student with the natur: 
orders, or with more than a very few instances of useful species. 
THE MUSCAL ALLIANCE (V. K., p. 54.) 
Keuisetum. Linneus, 
(Order, Equisetacez, or Horsetails ; V. K., p. 61.) 
Spore-cases growing beneath peltate scales collected in cones, splitting ot 
one side, without operculum, and with an elater to every spore. 
1, E. hyemale Linneus, (Duron Rush. SHAVE-GRass.) 
Stem naked, very rough, mostly branching at the base ; sheaths pallid, 
white at top and bottom, with deciduous teeth; cone 
terminal. 
Habitat. Tn swampy places. : J 
Quality. Rough with flinty points, (Said to be astringent, diuretic, 
emmenagogue,) The rhizomes nutritious. 
Uses. Employed for polishing wood, ivory, and brass. Food in time 
famine, 
2. E. flwviatile Linnaeus. (Water Horseralt.) Fig. 44 
Stems of two kinds: barren, covered with numerous rou g 
doubly angular branches: fertile ones unbranched, pallid, 
with large, loose, deeply-toothed sheaths. 
Habitat. Watery places. 
Uses. The starch contained in the tubers of the rhizome nutritious: 
said by Haller to be the plant eaten by the Romans under the 
of Equisetum. 
Fig. 44.—Equisetum fluviatile ; a, its rhizome ; b, upper end of the flowering stem. 
