PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 9 



Equisetwrn varlegatwn. The diuretic power of the E. hje- 

 male is shared, though to a less degree, by this, the E. ramosum 

 and E. palustre. Ricliard. 



Oedek. II. LYCOPODIACE^. 



Lycopodium selago, L. Dr. Winkler, of Insbruch, mentions 

 that the infusion of this plant is used in the Tyrol for killing ver- 

 min on animals ; and that unpleasant accidents have been pro- 

 duced in man by its accidental use. Its effects appear to be 

 sometimes irritant, but more generally narcotic in their nature 

 (Repert. Fer. die Pliarni, xiv. 311) ; Christison on Poisons. 

 Lindley says that it excites vomiting. The powder contained in 

 the thecsB is highly inflammable, and is employed in the manu- 

 facture of fireworks. According to M. A^astring, this species is 

 likely to become of importance in dyeing (Nat. Syst. Pot. 314). 

 Some authors look upon it as very dangerous, a minute dose pro- 

 ducing violent vomiting, in larger quantities acting as a nar- 

 cotic poison (Bischoff, Bull, de Sc. Med. Per. xxi. 430). Zingler 

 having taken a small quantit}^, found himself sick in four min- 

 utes, and fell into a state of syncope ; vinegar relieved him, but 

 he did not recover his memory for some time. Tlie Selago en- 

 joyed a great reputation among the Druids, and they expressed 

 the juice for many maladies, particularly those of the eye. It is 

 supposed that the plant referred to by Pliny is not this (Glossaire, 

 284; Archives de Med. \\\ 380; Merat & De L., Diet, de M. 

 M. iv. 168. 



Lycojyodiuin clavatum. This also excites vonnting, its thecse 

 likewise contains an inflammable powder, and M. "Westring thinks 

 it will become useful in dyeing. He asserts that woolen cloths 

 boiled with Lycopodiums, especially this species, acquire the 

 property of becoming blue when passed through a bath of Brazil 

 wood (Lind., Nat. Syst. 314). The powder sold in the shops as 

 vegetable sulphur, consists of the extremely small, pale yellow 

 particles (sporules?), employed as a dusting powder for childi-en, 

 and in pharmacy for enveloping pills to prevent their adhesion 

 {Pereira, Mat. Med. and Tlierap. ii. 47 ; Murray's Apparat. v. 

 489). It is also used as an application to serpiginous ulcers. In 

 Poland it is used in Plica, hence termed Ilerbe d la Plique. The 



