CHAPTER XI 

 THE CLUB MOSSES 



AS we have seen, the living species of the 

 Club Mosses are comparatively insignifi- 

 cant plants. None the less, most of them are 

 attractive each in its own way, and it is interest- 

 ing to be able to identify the different kinds. 

 First of all we may consider the five species of 

 Lycopodium. 



Lycopodium clavatum. Here the generic name 

 is derived from two Greek words lukos, " a 

 wall," and pous, " a foot." One of the popular 

 names of the plant is Wolf's Claw ; possibly an 

 allusion to the curious branching-stem, although 

 it must be confessed that the plant is not very 

 claw-like. The specific name is derived from 

 the Latin clava, " a club " ; this having reference 

 to the cones, or club, which bears the sporangia. 

 The Stag's Horn Moss, or the Common Club 

 Moss. 



Tnis species has wiry stems of considerable 

 length, sometimes measuring as much as six 

 or eight feet. These run along close to the soil, 

 to which they are attached at intervals by strong 

 roots. The stems which branch in all directions 

 are covered with small narrow leaves, each of 

 which ends in a curious little bristle. This 

 gives to the whole plant a singular grey appear- 

 ance. These hair-like points to the leaves may 



