CRYPTOGAMIA LYCOPODINE^E. 21 



A similar custom prevails among the young Laplanders. 

 " Vidi aliquando," says LINN^TJS, " grato spectaculo, 

 pueros Lapponum ex hoc musco serta confecisse capitique 

 suo eadem imposuisse, horrentibus undique spicis distichis, 

 hirsutie Faunis et Satyris similes." The seeds are used 

 in Germany for producing artificial lightning on the stage, 

 for when dispersed in the air they may be ignited in the 

 same manner as powdered rosin ; an experiment which we 

 have sometimes made with perfect success. 



A section of the stem (Tab. v. Fig. a) shows it to have the fol- 

 lowing structure. First, the outer green or epidermoid 

 circle, within which is a rather broad white one, analogous 

 in position to the wood, and minutely cellular. This is sue- 

 ceeded by another green circle also cellular, and which sur- 

 rounds the pith, divided by some imperfect septa into an- 

 gular compartments loosely cellular, or rather perforated 

 with longitudinal canals opened by the cut. The root ex- 

 hibits the same appearances, but the circles are not 

 coloured, and the epidermis being membranous, separates 

 easily from the wood beneath, which is here more compact 

 and solid. The roots are strong tough fibres pullulating 

 from the under surface at irregular intervals ; and when 

 just pulled, I have found them surrounded with a copious 

 transparent glairy fluid. 



According to M. VAST RING, the Lycopodia are likely to be- 

 come of importance in dyeing. He asserts that woollen 

 cloth boiled with them, especially with L. clavatum, acquire 

 the property of becoming blue when passed through a bath 

 of Brazil wood. LINDLEY. 



2. L. Selaginoides, stems recumbent, branched, shorter than the 

 solitary ascending tumid spikes ; leaves scattered, lanceolate, 

 fringed, the floral ones larger and more spreading. (2 or 3 inches 

 high, slender.) 



Hab, Boggy places on moors. " Fields west of the Steps 

 of Grace farm-house," Thomp. Lamberton Moor, and on 

 the Lammermuirs, frequent. Aug. 7/ 



3. L. Selago, stems upright, forked, level-topped ; leaves in 8 

 rows, uniform, lanceolate, pointless, entire, slightly spreading. 

 (4 inches high, robust and rigid.) 



Hob. Mountainous heaths. Moors west of Belford : Che- 

 viot, Thomp. Lamberton moor, Dirrington-Law. 

 June Aug. If 



