41 
LYCOPODIUM CLAYATUM. Lixx^us. 
f Common Cliih-moss or Wolfs Claw. 
Deriyatiox of Na^ie. From lycos, a Tvolf, and pous, a foot, 
from the supposed resemblance of its branches to the foot 
of a wolf. 
DESCRIPTIOX. 
Stems creeping, repeatedly forked, and sending out at 
short intervals strong fibres which quickly take root ; leaves 
small and moss-like, overlying each other, incmwed, irregu- 
larly toothed, linear, and ending with a hair-like point. 
Branches usually ascending, fi’om the ends of which spring 
the 
Spikes which are single or about two or three together 
and about an inch long, with a stalk at least as long ; the 
scale-like leaves of the stalk being about half the size of 
the stem leaves, and both sj)ikes and stalk of a yellowish 
colour. 
Capsules in the axils of the scales of the spikes which 
when ripe burst and scatter in gi’eat profusion the yellow 
dust-like spores. Fructification perfect in autumn. 
USES. 
A decoction of the plant is sometimes used in Poland to 
cure the Plica Polonica, that is, when the sufferers will sub- 
G. 
