134 PERNS OP GREAT BRITAIN. 



This Club-moss receives its specific name from the 

 somewhat jointed or interrupted appearance of its 

 branches, which arises from the leaves being at intervals 

 smaller and less spreading. The creeping stem sends 

 out, here and there, several upright branches, from one 

 to four inches long. The length of these is increased 

 every year, and the points of these annual growths are 

 very visible, giving to the stem its interrupted appear- 

 ance. These upright branches are often again divided, 

 and the spike is usually on the sixth or seventh joint 

 of the branch when fertile, but some branches are 

 barren. This is a large species, sometimes growing even 

 to the height of a foot from the ground, and its narrow 

 leaves, which spread out on all sides of the stems, are 

 arranged in five rows, which, however, are not very 

 distinctly marked. The little saw-edged and stifiBy- 

 pointed leaves are without stalks ; they are of a yellowish 

 green colour, and have each a distinct mid-rib. On the 

 older parts of the stem the leaves not only spread more 

 than on those newly grown, but they sometimes turn 

 downwards. 



The spike of fructification is at the top of the leafy 

 branch, without a partial stalk, and about an inch long. 

 It is oblong, and the bracts or scales upon it are nearly 

 round, with a long narrow point, and a jagged mem- 

 branous margin. When the seeds are matured and 

 burst from their capsules, these scale-like leaves turn 

 downwards. 



3. L. aVpinum (Savin-leaved Club-moss). — Leaves 

 overlapping each other, in four rows, acute, keeled, 

 entire; spikes terminal; Ir ancles erect and clustered. 



