ACROGENS. 23 MUSCALS. 
SpHacnum. Linneeus. 
(Order. Bryacese, or Urn-mosses ; V. K., p. 64.) 
Spore-case an urn closed by a deciduous lid, haying 
a toothless brim, and capped by an irregularly 
torn calyptra. 
1. S. obtusifolivm Ehrhart. (Boc-moss.) Fig. 45. 
Spongy. _Leaves whitish, ovate, obtuse, closely 
imbricated, tumid, with large spiral-coated 
perforated cells. 
Habitat. Wet commons, bogs and moors. 
Quality. Has the property of absorbing moisture readily, 
and parting with it slowly. Slightly nutritive. 
Uses. Employed by gardeners for covering the roots of 
plants and preserving them moist ; also for drainage. 
A wretched food in barbarous countries. 
N.B. —This is the genus of Mosses spoken of in 
Lindley’s “Introduction to Botany,” vol. i. p. 52, 
fourth edition, as being remarkable for the spiral 
structure of the cells composing its leaves, and for 
the presence of large pores in their sides. 
THE LYCOPODAL ALLIANCE (V. K., p. 68.) 
Lycoropium. Linneus. 
(Order. Lycopodiaceze, or Club-mosses ; V. K,, p. 69.) 
Spore-cases 2-valved, solitary in the axils of leaves. 
1. L. clavatum Linneus. (Common Crvs-moss. SNaKkE- 
moss.) Fig. 46. ; 
Stem creeping ; branches ascending, often entangled ; 
leaves incurved with thread-like points ; spikes two or 
three, cylindrical, stalked, with dilated membranous 
bracts. 
Habitat, Damp hills, low mountains, and moors. 
Quality. Spores i le, called Witch-meal and Vegetable 
Sulphur, The minute copious volatile seeds (spores) are use 
in Germany for artificial lightning on the stage, and are sold in 
the shops. When dispersed in the air, they take fire with a 
candle, and suddenly explode.” —Smith. Herbage emetic. ee 
Uses. For rolling up pills ; dusting infants ; Plica polonica; a rude 
and unsafe emetic ; employed in scorbutic affections. ee 
2. L. Selago Linneus. (F1R-Moss.) a 
Stems dwarf, erect, forked; leaves in eight rows, lanceo- — 
late, pointless, slightly spreading. ee 
Habitat. Mountain heaths, and lowland sandy wet tracts. . 
Quality. Astringent, emetic, drastic, narcotic. ee 
Uses, A powerful irritant; keeps blisters open ; a counter-irritant 5 
a rude purgative for very strong persons ; forms a detergen’ 
lotion against vermin. ee 
Fig. 45.—Sphagnum obtusifolium ; a, a leaf magnified ; 46. A branch of Lycopodium clavatum. 
