THE USES OF FERNS. 
85 
podium powder, and as to the mineral powders, we re- 
cognize them by their sinking in water.” 
Mr. Baird tells us that the seeds of this plant are 
much employed in Germany, in producing artificial 
lightning upon the stage; it has also been used exten- 
sively in the manufacture of fireworks. M. Duchesne 
asserts that “ it played a grand role in the religious 
ceremonies of the Druids,” but he does not describe the 
manner of its employment. The tough stems and 
branches may be woven into mats and rustic ornaments, 
and are thus used in Sweden and Germany ; not being 
wholly disregarded for sueli purposes by our own pea- 
santry, according to Wordsworth, who relates of the 
Westmoreland shepherd lads 
“And with that plant, which in our dale 
We call Stag’s-horn or Fox’s-tail, 
Their rusty hats they trim.” 
The Lycopodium Selago was praised for its medicinal 
virtues by Pliny. He relates with how much ceremony 
the Druids gathered this healing plant ; they used it in 
diseases of the eye, gnd also as a charm to avert mis- 
fortune. It has strong cathartic qualities, so it may 
come into fashion again. The Highlanders use it to 
fix colours in dyeing, instead of alum. The peasants in 
the northern countries of Europe employ it as an emetic. 
Duchesne says it is much valued in veterinary medicine 
as a cure for dropsy. 
The Lycopodium alpinum , when mixed with Brazilian 
wood, and well boiled, imparts a good blue colour. In 
Iceland they use it with W T hortleberry leaves, when it 
forms a yellow dye. M. Duchesne says that the “ Ly- 
copodium selaginoides avec un peu de bois de Bresil 
