LYCOPODIUM. 
193 
in Britain recently, or the characteristics have not been 
found permanent. 
Gerarde celebrates the praises of the Moonwort. “ It 
is good to heal fresh and green wounds,” he says. But 
it is more famous as a herb of superstition than as one 
of healing. The author above quoted declares that 
witches used to loose locks by inserting it in the key- 
holes, and let horses loose at night with it. Coles also 
speaks of its pick -lock powers, and adds that the shoes 
of horses fall off when they step upon it. 
It grows in much the same localities as those fre- 
quented by the AdderVtongue, that is, in pastures and 
meadows ; like it, it is very difficult of cultivation, and 
must be moved wuth a heavy sod. Mr. Johnson says it 
will flourish in a light soil mixed with a little peat, and 
must have its roots covered with turf, but will by no 
means endure its fronds being overshadowed. 
This fern is found in cool regions throughout Europe 
Northern India, and North America. 
LYCOPODIACEiE. 
LYCOPODIUM. 
Gen. Char . “ Capsules without a ring, coriaceous, sessile in 
the axils of the leaves, or in distinct bracts, 1-celled, 2-3-valved. 
Stems leafy, terrestrial. Vernation not circinate .” — Sir W. J. 
Hoolcer. 
The family of the Lycopods are allied to the ferns 
more closely than to any other group of plants. They 
have spiral vessels in their stems, mingling with the 
cellular structure ; their leaves overlap one another, and 
the fruit is contained in capsules situated in the axils of 
o 
