186 HISTORY OP BRITISH PERNS. 



decreasing in quantity as they advance southwards. Many 

 of the tropical Lycopodium* are extremely beautiful : some 

 are of scandent habit, and many of them attain considerable 

 size. 



Though of humble growth, and altogether unattractive 

 in appearance, the Club-mosses are not without their use. 

 More than one species is used in dying operations, and 

 several have a medicinal reputation. The powdery matter 

 called pollen, which is produced in considerable quantities 

 by our common species, is highly imflammable, and is used 

 in pyrotechny under the name of vegetable brimstone. 

 Being of a drying and healing nature, it is also used to pre- 

 vent excoriation in infants ; and in pharmacy is also used 

 sometimes for coating pills, as it is with difficulty wetted. 

 The common Club-moss is emetic, and the Fir Club-moss 

 is a cathartic and a powerful irritant; the former is also 

 used in the treatment of cutaneous disorders, and is a re- 

 puted remedy for the plica polonica. 



The tiny species of Lycopods now known to botanists have 

 been thought to be the direct representatives of the vast 

 tree-like Lepidodendra met with in a fossil state, and which 

 in former ages must have rivalled our coniferous trees. The 

 evidence in support of this view has been questioned ; but 



