92 THE TRAILING LYCOPODIUMS. 



ing forms often occur. Since this form has always been 

 known in American publications as Lycopodium com- 

 planatum cJiamcecyparissus, it is called by this name here 

 to avoid confusing the beginner. An older name for it 

 has been recently unearthed, and if one is inclined to call 

 it a separate species it should be named Lycopodium 

 tristacJiyon. Those who consider it a variety or form 

 should call it Lycopodium complanatum tristacliyon. The 

 difficulty experienced in raising lycopodiums from 

 spores prevents the application of a fstirly decisive test 

 of the distinctness of these two forms. If it could be 

 shown that from the. spores of one form the other may 

 also be produced, we would be warranted in thinking 

 them forms of the one species. 



Lycopodium complanatum, like the common club-moss, 

 is occasionally found with fruiting-peduncles bearing a 

 single strobile each. This form has been described as 

 the variety Wibbei. It may be expected in localities 

 where the type abounds, usually in the more sterile and 

 uncongenial surroundings. 



This species is used in great quantities for decorations. 

 It is said that the trade in Christmas greens began in 

 New Jersey with this plant more than half a century 

 ago. The State is still prominent in the business, 

 though the demand long ago became so great that other 

 sources of supply had to be found. At present the 

 supply is drawn from the States about the headwaters 

 of the Mississippi, more than two hundred tons being 

 gathered each year from a single State. The price 

 realized is about $75 a ton. In consequence of the 

 annual raids made upon it, the plant is rapidly becoming 

 rare, but small patches of it are still to be found in most 

 localities, while in some remote regions it still carpets 



