LYCOPODIACE^. 



Nat. syst. ed. 2. p. 403. 



LYCOPODIUM. 



Thecae unilocular, all of one form, or of 2 different forms ; that 

 which contains powder somewhat reniform and 2-valved, the 

 other roundish, 3- or 4-lobed, 3- or 4-valved. 



1320. L. clavatum Linn, sp.pl. 1564. E. Bot. t. 224. Smith 

 Eng. Fl. iv. 331. — Mountainous heaths and moors, all over 

 Europe. 



Roots of several strong scattered fibres. Stem procumbent, trailing, 

 branching, leafy, several feet in length. Leaves crowded, curved up- 

 wards, linear-lanceolate, flat, ribless, smooth, deep green, partly serrated, 

 tipped with a capillary point ; those of the branches erect ; the upper 

 ones loosely dispersed. Spikes terminal, usually in pairs, rarely 1, or 3, 

 densely beset with shortened, dilated, ovate, entire, long-pointed leaves, 

 or scales, in whose bosoms the small, sulphur-coloured thecae are 

 situated. Smith. — The dust of the thecae is inflammable, and is em- 

 ployed in some parts of Europe to produce artificial lightning on the 

 stage. The decoction of the plant is said to be more serviceable than 

 any other known means in removing Plica polonica. The powder is 

 also used to prevent excoriation in children. 



1321. L. Selago Linn, sp.pl. 1565. E. Bot. t. 233. Smith 

 Eng. Fl. iv. 333. — Common in Europe in mountainous heaths. 



Root fibrous. Stems a span high, composing dense tufts, level at 

 the top, each once or twice forked, cylindrical, densely leafy all over. 

 Leaves uniform, crowded, in 8 rows, of a bright shining green, perma- 

 nent, lanceolate, entire, acute, pointless, moderately spreading every 

 way. Thecae on the uppermost shoots, axillary, kidney-shaped, uniform. 

 Smith. — In the Highlands of Scotland it is made into an irritating 

 ointment which is applied with advantage to the neighbourhood of the 

 eyes as a counter irritant. This unguent is also employed to dress 

 foul ulcers, and might be used for keeping blisters open instead of Savin. 

 Internally administered the Selago acts violently as an emetic and 

 cathartic ; the Highlanders we are told notwithstanding give it in 

 infusion ; but if the dose is not small it is followed by serious giddiness 

 and convulsions. Linnaeus says the Swedes find the decoction service- 

 able as a detergent lotion, and in destroying the vermin that infest 

 swine and other animals. Burnett. Dr. Winkler says its effects appear 

 to be sometimes irritant, but more generally narcotic in their nature. 



1322. L. rubrum Chamisso in Linncea viii. 389. This 

 has lately been sent from the Caraccas under the name of 

 Atum Condinadum, as a medicinal plant, along with Cuichun- 

 chulli, but I do not know for what purpose it is used. Its 

 bright red colour is very remarkable. 



621 



