THE LYCOPODITTM FAMILY. 483 



The hardy ferns are in quite as great diversity as the stove and green-hous^ 

 kinds, and desei've the examination of eveiy one interested in this lovely and 

 insatiably varied family. 



CLII.— THE LYCOPODIUM FAMILY. Lycopodidcem. 



The Lycopodiums resemble the ferns in some few particulars, but 

 are distinguished and distinctly characterized by their fructification, 

 which is sessile in the axils of leaves or bracteas, in the latter case 

 forming cylindrical and terminal spikes or " clubs," whence these 

 plants are commonly miscalled " club-mosses." The thecee are one to 

 three-celled, and generally burst by valves, some of them containing 

 a powdery substance, and others rather large granules, which appear 

 to be the genuine spores. The stems are usually prostrate and 

 creeping, generally much branched, and thickly clothed with minute 

 imbricated leaves. There is a considerable difierence, however, in the 

 aspect of the species, the Selago and the arhoreum presenting perhaps 

 the two extremes. The latter is one of the delicate light-green, 

 species now such favourites in green-houses and indoor ferneries, and 

 distinguished by its tall and scrambling stems, and fern-like foliage, 

 blue or green according as the light falls, like a lady's shot-silk dress. 

 About two hundred species are known, natives of much the same 

 localities as ferns. Twenty or thirty of the exotics, commonly called 

 Selaginellas, are cultivated under glass, and of indigenous species we 

 have six, four of them occurring near Manchester. 



Stems tufted and itpripht, though slightly decumbent at 

 the base, the forked branches fonning dense, level- 

 topped tufts, three to six inches high. Leaves long, 

 spreading, and ci'owded, Thecfe in the axils of the 



upper ones 3. Selago. 



Stems creeping or prostrate. Fructification in spikes. 

 Fruiting branches simple. Stems one to three inches 



long 4. Marsh Club-moss. 



Fruiting branches forked or clustered. 



Leaves minute, closely imbricated in four rows, giving 

 a square form to the branches. Spikes sessile, 



crowded into dense and level-topped clusters . . 2. Alpine Club-moss. 

 Leaves long, spreading, with fiue jpoints. Spikes two, 

 or sometimes three together, on stalks at least 



as long. Stems one to three feet long 1. Common Club-moss. 



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