546 MARSILEACE^; LTCOPODIACE^ MUSCI. 



with scales, and with woolly matter. One (Davallia canariensis) is 

 called Hare's-foot Fern on this account, and another (Aspidium JBaromez) 

 receives the name of Scythian or Tartarian-lamb, because, when pre- 

 pared in a particular way, it resembles that animal. 



1111. Order 214. Marsiieacece, or Rbizocarpeie, the Pepperwort 

 Family. Stem wanting. Leaves often stalked, with the lamina 

 divided into three or more wedge-shaped pieces, sometimes the lamina 

 is abortive; vernation circinate. Reproductive organs near the root 

 or along the petiole, enclosed in an involucre; these organs are of 

 two kinds: 1. Stalked or sessile clustered membranous sacs, con- 

 taining minute granules, which some consider as pollen: hence the 

 bodies are called anthers. 2. Membranous sacs, containing cells 

 which divide into four, one of which only is developed as a germinating 

 body; the sacs have been called ovule-sacs, and the single developed 

 cell is considered by some as an ovule which is impregnated by the 

 so-called pollen. The thecse are the bodies from which germination 

 proceeds. Creeping or floating plants, found in ditches and pools in 

 various parts of the world, more especially in temperate climates. 

 They are not put to any important use. There are 4 genera, and 

 upwards of 20 species. Examples Marsilea, Pilularia, Salvinia. 



1112. Order 215. L.ycopodiacese, the Club-moss Family. Stems 

 creeping or corms; annular vessels in the axis. Leaves imbricated, 

 more or less setaceous, sometimes subulate. Thecas axillary and ses- 

 sile, 1-3-celled, opening by valves or indehiscent; often of two kinds. 

 One, round, reniform, or crescentic, containing minute powdery 

 matter, and called by some antheridia, though, perhaps, erroneously; 

 the other of a roundish tetrahedral form, enclosing a cell which pro- 

 duces four spores capable of germinating; the spores are considered 

 by some as equivalent to ovules, and the mother-cell as an ovary or 

 oophoridium (uov, an egg or ovule, and <poj&>, I bear). In Isoetes, 

 the two kinds of reproductive bodies are imbedded in the substance 

 of the base of the leaf. They are moss-like plants, intermediate be- 

 tween ferns and mosses, and in some respects allied to cone-bearing 

 plants. They abound in warm, moist, insular climates. There are 

 6 genera, and about 200 species. Examples Lycopodium, Sela- 

 ginella, Isoetes. 



1113. Some of the Lycopodiums are emetic and cathartic. The 

 powdery matter in the thecae is inflammable, and has been used as a 

 substitute for sulphur, under the name of Lycopode or vegetable 

 brimstone. It is also employed to cover pills, so as to prevent their 

 being acted upon by moisture. Lycopodium squamatum, a Brazilian 

 species, coils up into a ball during the dry season, and unrolls during 

 the wet season. 



1114. Order 216. Mnsci, the Moss Family. Plants having a dis- 

 tinct axis of growth, often giving off branches or innovations; no 



