218 
HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 
five parts representing a gemma, or bud ; the three inner 
lobes of this series are large and prominent, and of an 
ovate oblong acute form ; the two outer lobes are very 
small, scale-like, one closely appressed to the anterior, the 
other to the posterior surface of the bud. In the centre of 
the three inner lobes, in due time, appears a thickish 
oblong body, which is in reality the undeveloped stem, 
and eventually elongates, puts out small leaflets, and 
becomes a plant. 
These buds are capable of growth either while attached 
to their parent stem, or when detached and in contact with 
the soil ; and they appear to be the chief means of propa- 
gation possessed by this species ; for the statements which 
have been made respecting the germination of the spores 
of the Fir Club-moss are open to much doubt. Probably 
it was these buds which were caused to germinate. 
There is no doubt this plant possesses some medicinal 
properties, though it is not now used in regular practice. 
It is powerfully irritant, and is used by country people, in 
the form of an ointment, as a counter-irritant in parts near 
the eye, for diseases of that organ ; it appears to be also 
sometimes employed as an emetic and cathartic, but not 
without danger. A decoction is, on the authority of 
