YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY 31 



variety of species is within the reach of every- 

 body. 



Authorities vary as to the exact number of 

 species which belong to the only genus of the 

 Horsetail Equisetum ; the estimate is never 

 higher than forty. Nearly all these plants are 

 striking in appearance, and some are quite large. 

 A tropical American species is said to attain 

 the height of thirty feet, though this is not so 

 remarkable when one considers that the plant 

 has a climbing habit. In the United Kingdom 

 we have at least eight distinct species. Some 

 of these are exceedingly common, and owing to 

 their vigorous growth will often hold their own 

 against all comers. Indeed, the existing Horse- 

 tails are, to use a common expression, " putting 

 up such a good fight " that it is certain they will 

 continue to hold their own for many a long day. 

 Unlike the Club Mosses, the Horsetails seem to 

 be quite happy in the vicinity of towns, and are 

 often seen at their best on railway embank- 

 ments and in similar situations. 



Although the Vascular Cryptogams played 

 an important part in helping to build up our vast 

 stores of coal, it is astonishing to note of what 

 little direct economic value they are to mankind 

 at the present time. In a few parts of the 

 world, where the native races make little or no 

 attempt at agriculture, the root-stocks of Ferns 

 often rich in starch are eaten. Thus the 

 Maoris of New Zealand and some of the South 

 Sea Islanders secure a poor kind of sago from 

 some of the Tree Ferns which grow in their dis- 

 tricts. The Japanese use the growing tips of the 

 Bracken as food. Years ago, Ferns used to be 

 burnt for potash in this country, and their 

 astringent properties naturally attracted the 

 old-world pharmacist. They are practically 



