196 HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 



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 sporules. 

 This is the only native species which produces the two sepa- 

 rate kinds of spore-cases. 



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 more common. The 

 localities which it prefers are wet boggy places by the side 

 of mountain rills. 



LYCOPODIUM SELAGO, Lmnam. Pir Club-moss. (Plate 

 XX. fig. 5.) 



The Fir Club -moss is one of our commoner kinds, and 

 in its parts is the most massive of any. It is, moreover, 

 usually of upright growth, the others being decumbent, 

 though of this there is a variety or mountain form some- 

 times met with, in which the stems are constantly prostrate. 

 Indeed, in the commoner forms the upright habit, which is 

 evidently natural to it, often gives way before the force of 

 gravity, and in such cases the lower part of the stems is 



