LYCOPODIACE^E. ' (571 



which are about six inches in length, and an inch broad, are the best ; in 

 general, what is offered for sale, consists of remains of leaf-stalks, with 

 small fragments of the rhizome attached. Internally the rhizome is yellow- 

 ish or reddish-white, and externally of a brown colour. The odour is 

 slight and earthy, and the taste, somewhat sweetish, but bitter, astringent 

 and unpleasant. It has often been analyzed ; the last examination by Geiger, 

 shows it to contain : Green fat oil, 6*9 ; Green resin 4*1 ; uncrystallizable 

 sugar and tannin, 22*9, &c. The active principle is the oil. This oil also 

 occurs in the buds, according to Peschier. 



Medical Uses. — It is only used as an anthelmintic, for which purpose 

 it was employed amongst the ancients, but its principal reputation arose from 

 its forming the basis of a celebrated nostrum for expelling the tape-worm, 

 the secret of which was sold to Louis XVI. by Madame Nouffer, for about 

 $3500. Her plan was to give a dose of the powdered root, followed by an 

 active cathartic ; this to be repeated from time to time until the desired effect 

 was produced. This remedy was very popular for some time, and proved 

 successful in many cases, but is now seldom used, as other remedies of 

 more decided benefit have been substituted for it ; though from the evidence 

 in its favour by Peschier, Ebers, &c, it is certainly an active anthelmintic. 

 It appears to be best in a fresh state, and that it deteriorates by keeping 

 so much, that in two years it is inert. 



It may be given in powder in doses of from one to three drachms, twice 

 a day ; in extract, from twelve to twenty grains; and in the oil, from half 

 a drachm to a drachm. Peschier has found that an ethereal tincture of the 

 buds, made by digesting 1 part of the buds in 8 parts of ether, is very 

 effectual. 



Group LIII. — Lycopodales. 



Order 121.— LYCOPODIACE^E.— De Candolle. 



Moss-like plants with creeping stems and imbricated leaves ; the stems abounding- in 

 annular ducts ; or stemless plants with erect subulate leaves, and a solid stem. Spore 

 cases 1 — 3-celled, sessile, axillary or terminal, and forming a kind of ament ; dehiscent, 

 and containing either minute powder or larger sporules. 



The plants of this order are found in all parts of the world, and like the 

 Ferns are most abundant in warm moist situations in the tropics, and espe- 

 cially in the islands of that region. They are endowed with somewhat active 

 powers, and have been employed as remedial agents in many countries. 



Lycopodium. — Linn. 



Thecae unilocular, all of one form, or of two different forms ; that containing the 

 powder somewhat kidney-shaped, and 2-valved, that containing the larger sporules 3 — 4- 

 lobed, 3 — 4-valved. 



The dust from the spore cases is very inflammable, and that from the Euro- 

 pean species is employed to imitate lightning in theatrical representations. 

 L. clavatum has been given in decoction in a variety of diseases, as a 

 diuretic, antispasmodic, &c, and has been praised as serviceable in hydro- 

 phobia. The powder is emetic, but is principally employed instead of starch, 

 to prevent excoriations in young children ; it is also said to be the most 

 efficacious application in cases of Plica polonica. L. cernuum is employed 

 in some of the West India islands as a diuretic, and in vinous decoction in 



