164 



PLANT-LIFE 



stem, the latter rows consisting of overlapping leaves 

 that are smaller than those of the other two side rows. 

 The arrangement of the leaves gives the shoots a flat- 

 tened appearance. Some species of tropical Selaginellas 

 are cultivated in hothouses, and called " Lycopodium," 

 another instance of a popular misnomer. Among these 

 one of the most common is a native of Madeira, ! the 



Fig. 52. — Selaginella helvetica. 

 Slightly Enlarged. 



Stem with rhizophore (r) at base; two fertile 

 spikes ascending; sp, sporangia. 



Fig. 53. — Fertile Spike 

 of Selaginella spin- 



OSA. X li. 



Azores, and South Africa ; it goes by the name of Selagi- 

 nella Kraussiana (see Fig. 54). It has a repeatedly 

 forked creeping stem, with numerous small leaves 

 arranged according to the above description. A feature 

 of the leaves is a small outgrowth of membranous tex- 

 ture, arising from the upper surface, almost at the base; 

 it is distinctly seen on young leaves, but withers as they 



