30 FLORA HOMCEOPATHICA. 



thrown into the flame of a candle it burns with great rapidity : 

 when moistened by alcohol or, still better, by oil of vitriol, and 

 examined by the microscope, the granules are found to have 

 the shape of tetrahedrons, with a convex base, the external 

 membrane forming reticular elevations, giving a cellular ap- 

 pearance to the granules. The sporules, as analysed by Buch- 

 holz and by Cadet, give Fat oil, 60 ; Sugar, 3*0; Mucilaginous 

 extract, 1*5; and Pollenin, 89'5. The substance called Pollenin 

 is, however, a complex, organized body, and cannot be regarded 

 as a proximate principle. By the action of caustic potash on 

 Lycopodium, acetic acid can be obtained. As met with in the 

 shops, Lycopodium seems to be free from adulteration. 



" The sporules of other species of Lycopodium are said some- 

 times to be substituted for those of L. clavatum, the micro- 

 scope alone can detect the diiference. The pollen of some 

 plants, as of Typha latifolia, and of some coniferous plants, is 

 said to be sometimes substituted for Lycopodium sporules, the 

 microscope readily distinguishes the substitution; the shape, 

 size, and character of the surface, and the cohesion or isolation 

 of the grains must be attended to in distinguishing them. 

 The pollen of coniferous plants is also sometimes recognisable 

 by its terebinthinate odour when rubbed in the hand ; that of 

 Typha latifolia is not so inflammable as genuine Lycopodium 

 meal. Starch, talc, gypsum, chalk, boxwood powder, etc. etc., 

 have been reported as adulterating substances. By throwing 

 the suspected Lycopodium on water, the mineral substances 

 present would readily fall to the bottom, and might be detected 

 by their appropriate tests. Iodine and the microscope will 

 detect starch. Boxwood powder has been separated by a fine 

 sieve, which lets the genuine sporules through, but retains the 



woody particles" {Percira, Mat Med., vol. ii. pt. 1, 3rd edit., 

 p. 965). 



The three first attenuations are made by trituration. 

 Physiological Effects.— It is generally considered inert 

 in its action, until it has been acted upon by trituration : but 



