228 HISTORY OF BRITISH PERNS. 



The inflorescence, as in tlie other species, is a terminal 

 spike of about an inch in length, consisting of lance-shaped 

 jagged-edged bracts, larger and more closely pressed than 

 the leaves of the stem. These bracts produce from their 

 axils two kinds of fructification. The lower bracts bear in 

 their axils large three-celled spore-cases containing three 

 globular oophoridia, or four-celled cases containing four of 

 these bodies. The upper bracts bear subreniform spore- 

 cases, containing the minute pulverulent pollen-like spores. 

 This is the only native Lycopod which produces the two 

 separate kinds of spores. 



Though hardly to be considered a rare species, this is one 

 of the less common ; it is found in the north of England, 

 Wales, and Scotland, in which latter country it is pretty 

 generally distributed. In Ireland it is rather common. 

 The localities Avhich it prefers are wet lx)ggy places by the 

 side of mountain rills. 



The Lycopodiums are not frequently seen in cultivation, 

 but they nevertheless, equally with the Ferns, would be- 

 come a source of much interest if brought constantly under 

 the eye in a living state ; and in an equal degree the study 

 of them in this condition — the watching of their progress 



