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HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 
The inflorescence, as in the other species, is a terminal 
spike of about an inch in length, consisting of lance-shaped 
jagged-edged bracts, larger. and more closely pressed than 
the leaves of the stem. These bracts produce from their 
axils two kinds of fructification. The lower bracts bear in 
their axils large three-celled spore-cases containing three 
globular oophoridia, or four-celled cases containing four of 
these bodies. The upper bracts bear subreniform spore- 
cases, containing the minute pulverulent pollen-like spores. 
This is the only native Lycopod which produces the two 
separate kinds of spores. 
Though hardly to be considered a rare species, this is one 
of the less common ; it is found in the north of England, 
Wales, and Scotland, in which latter country it is pretty 
generally distributed. In Ireland it is rather common. 
The localities which it prefers are wet lx)ggy places by the 
side of mountain rills. 
The Lycopodiums are not frequently seen in cultivation, 
but they nevertheless, equally with the Ferns, would be- 
come a source of much interest if brought constantly under 
the eye in a living state ; and in an equal degree the study 
of them in this condition — the watching of their progress 
