DECUMBENT LYCOPODIUMS. 113 



several zones of sporangia may be found on a single 

 stem. This species also produces gemma; or bulblets in 

 profusion, and propagation by that means is probably 

 more common than by spores. 



Until recently no doubts were entertained as to the 

 specific distinctness of Lycopodiuni lucidtilum and Lycopo- 

 diuin sclago, but it has recently been asserted that as 

 one passes downward from the mountain haunts of 

 Lycopodiinii selago\\& may find forms of it that gradually 

 merge into Lycopodiiiiu lucidiihiin. It is therefore sug- 

 gested that Lycopodiuni sclago is only a mountain form 

 of our common species. It is also noticeable that in 

 Europe, where Lycopodiuni sclago is common and Lycopo- 

 diuni lucidulum unknown, there is a variety with spread- 

 ing, toothed leaves that appears to be very close to, if 

 not identical with, our Lycopodiuni lucidulum. Some 

 botanists are inclined to lay stress upon the fact that in 

 L^ycopodiuni lucidulum the zones of leaves are alternately 

 appressed or spreading, while in Lycopodiuni selago they 

 are all appressed or at least ascending; but it can easily 

 be shown that the alternating zones of Lycopodiuni 

 lucidulum are due to longer periods of growth, the 

 spreading leaves being produced at the height of the 

 season. If only a few leaves were produced each j'ear, 

 they would undoubtedly be ascending. Sliould further 

 studies prove the truth of the theory that the plants 

 called Lycopodiuni lucidulum and Lycopodiuni selago are 

 but extreme types of one species, a rearrangement of 

 names will be necessar}^ Lycopodiuni sclago, having 

 been named first, would retain its name, while the other 

 would become Lycopodiuni sclago lucidulum. 



This species was once valued for its medicinal quali- 

 ties. It was occasionally used as an emetic and cathar- 



