LYCOPOUIUM CLAVATUM. 29 



false lightning in theatres, and in the manufacture of fireworks, 

 the dust being highly inflammable. A species of this plant 

 (Lycopodium selago) was employed by the Druids as a powerful 

 cathartic. Such is its rejection of moisture, that if scattered 

 over the surface of water in a basin, any substance may be 

 picked from the bottom without wetting the hand. 



Medicinally it has been employed in allopathic treatment as 

 an external application to erysipelatous parts, and to children 

 to prevent chafing. Bergius, Wislicenus, and others, have 

 recommended its employment in calculous affections, retentio 



urinsD, gout, etc. 



Description. — Roots of several strong, scattered fibres. 



Stems procumbent, trailing, branching, leafy, several feet in 

 length. Leaves crowded, curved upwards, 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 one 

 or three, densely beset with shortened, dilated, ovate, entire, 

 long pointed leaves or scales, in whose bosoms the small sul- 

 phur-coloured capsules (thecoe) are situated (Smith). 



Geographical Distribution.— Over the whole of Europe, 

 especially in Russia and Finland. North America. 



Localities.— On dry heaths and pastures ; in woods. It is 



found on Hampstead Heath. 



Parts used in Medicine, and Mode of Preparation. 

 The Pollen or Powder, which is sold in the shops under the 



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Wich 



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getable Sulphur. It consists of granules, usually regarded 

 as sporules, but by some considered to be grains of pollen. 

 They are gathered towards the end of the summer, and are 

 separated by sifting. Lycopodium is a very fine, odourless, 

 tasteless, and very mobile powder, of a pale yellow colour. It 

 adheres to the fingers, but exhibits a repulsive force for water. 

 If shaken with water a portion of it sinks; with spirits of wine 



it is readily nriadUe. It is tinged brown by iodine ; when 



