THE EXPLOSIVE CLUB-MOSSES 149 



separate catkin, by a gentle bend and shake, may be 

 made to pour its dry grist into a box held beneath it, 

 and several ounces of the powder may be thus gathered 

 in a few moments. A little of this powder poured upon 

 the flame of a match or candle will demonstrate its in- 

 flammable qualities, exploding with a brilliant lightning- 

 like flash. A few of the stems picked when immature 

 and allowed to dry in the house will produce the same 

 flash when shaken above the flame. 



In earlier times, and even to-day, for aught I know, 

 this same powder was in great demand behind the scenes 

 at the theatre, where, in association with the terrific din 

 of the rolling balls and the crash of the enormous sheet 

 of tin, it did brilliant duty in the mimic thunder-storm. 



In their natural destiny these floating spores are car- 

 ried to the ends of the earth by the winds, to say nothing 

 of an occasional artificial journey towards the stars as 

 they are borne aloft in the rocket, and light the zenith 

 in their glare. I have discovered that the pollen of the 

 pine blossoms has similar inflammable properties to the 

 lycopodium. 



