2 THE TRAILING LYCOPODIUMS. 



The main stem often reaches a length of ten feet or 



o 



more, though it is usually much shorter. At the grow- 

 ing end it is usually above ground and covered on all 

 sides with the green leaves ; at the opposite end it is 

 more or less hidden under an accumulation of dead vege- 

 tation, and the stems and leaves are yellowish. Here 

 and there, throughout its length, single, stout, cord-like 

 roots are given off, which extend downward until they 

 enter the soil, where they usually branch once or twice. 

 Frequently this main stem is branched, and these 

 branches, like the axis from which, they spring, main- 

 tain a course parallel with the earth. At short intervals 

 along these stems other branches are produced which 

 extend upward. During the first year they are from 

 one to three inches long and are simple, but at the next 

 growing-season they add more to their length and at 

 the same time put out short side branches. This con- 

 tinues for several years until the older branches are 

 several times branched, with occasional roots springing 

 from the portions nearest the earth. There is thus a 

 regular gradation from the short simple branches at the 

 growing tip of the stem, less than a year old, to the 

 larger much-divided branches at the other extreme 

 which have outlasted several seasons. 



The leaves are evergreen and persist for several years. 

 They are arranged on stem and branches in about eight 

 longitudinal rows, and so close in the rows as to over- 

 lap. They are about a quarter of an inch long, very 

 narrow, and each ends in a long soft bristle. On 

 account of the angle at which they are set on the stem, 

 the branches appear about half an inch in diameter. 

 The edges of the branch leaves are entire or occasionally 

 toothed; those on the main stems have larger teeth. 



