CRYPTOGAMIA. 299 
ampLes. — Marsilea; IsGetes (Quillwort); Pilularia — 
lobulifera (Pill-wort or Pepper-grass). In Isdetes the 
fructification is quite concealed, and contained within the 
very base of the leaf or frond, which only betrays its con- 
tents by being somewhat swollen at that part. 
This singular family may be distinguished by the sporules 
being enclosed in thece contained in close involucres, and 
by the situation of the involucre at or near the root, from 
which De Candolle gave them the name Rhizospermee. 
ORDER VIII. 
LYCOPODIACEZ—CLUB MOSSES. 
Included in the Musei, Linn. ; and in the Filiees, Juss. 
_ Cuaracrers, — Moss-like plants, with fibrous aie 
simple or branched stems often creeping, numerous undivid- 
‘d small leaves, and the fructification axillary (at the inner 
base of a leaf) or in spikes, consisting of small capsules or 
ew (conceptacles and cogques), opening by two or three 
valves, some containing a mass of minute pulverulent gran- 
ules, others containing larger corpuscles or sporules, both — 
_kinds being sometimes found on the same plant. 
Examptes.—Lycopodium ; L. clavatum (Common Club- eee 
Moss) is plentiful on alpine moors and heaths. Itisgenee 
rally believed that plants of this family attained a great size 
former times, and that the remains of many of them OE 
along with Ferns in the Coal formations. eo ee 
The capsules of the Lycopodiums contain a yellow p wde: 
Vegetable Sulphur; it is very inflammable, and is 
for fire-works. M. Pelletier found it to contain wax, 
Sugar, and alum. “Some of this family have been used for 
fixing fugitive colours in dyeing. fee Be 
