218 HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 



five parts representing a gemma, or bud ; the three inner 

 lobes of this series are large and prominent, and of an 

 ovate oblong acute form ; the two outer lobes are very 

 small, scale-like, one closely appressed to the anterior, the 

 other to the posterior surface of the bud. In the centre of 

 the three inner lobes, in due time, appears a thickish 

 oblong body, which is in reality the undeveloped stem, 

 and eventually elongates, puts out small leaflets, and 

 becomes a plant. 



These buds are capable of growth either while attached 

 to their parent stem, or when detached and in contact with 

 the soil ; and they appear to be the chief means of propa- 

 gation possessed by this species ; for the statements which 

 have been made respecting the germination of the spores 

 of the Fir Club-moss are open to much doubt. Probably 

 it was these buds which were caused to germinate. 



There is no doubt this plant possesses some medicinal 

 properties, though it is not now used in regular practice. 

 It is powerfully irritant, and is used by country people, in 

 the form of an ointment, as a counter-irritant in parts near 

 the eye, for diseases of that organ ; it appears to be also 

 sometimes employed as an emetic and cathartic, but not 

 without danger. A decoction is, on the authority of 



