LYCOPODIACEi€ OF GUIANA AND THEIR ALLIES. 47 
1. branched alternately nearly from the base, sub-prostrate, throwing out 
long simple thread-like roots from the joints, which like the rachises 
are stramineous and bright. Branches 2^-3 or 4 li. w. over the leaves ; 
herbaceous in substance, and rachises weakly, though thickish. Leaves 
distant on the main rachises, but close or slightly imbricating on the 
branches ; major ones linear-oblong, spreading sub-horizontally, the 
base not cordate, the under margin up -curved at the acute point, the 
upper side very little deeper than the lower, 1^-2 li. 1., f li. d., the margins 
naked. Minor leaves ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, with a rounded 
auricle at the base of the longer outer margin, the point rather cuspidate. 
Spikes i~i in. 1. rachises enlarged at the base by the macrospores. 
JENMAN, n. 551, 1479, 2061, 2134. Very close to S. 
epirhizoS) but in that species the stems are not* stra- 
mineous and bright, and the leaves on the primary 
rachises are close and all, including the minor ones, 
are broader than in this, with the rachises articulated at 
the joints, which this does not show. It is a very com- 
mon species, forming large beds in the forests which 
border most of the rivers of the country. 
General distribution — Endemic. 
17. Selaginella epirhizos, Spring. Mon. Lycop. II. p. 218. Baker 
Syn. Gen. Selaginella p. 57. — Fronds sub-ascending, rooted at the 
base, and with long simple threadlike roots upwards some distance 
at the joints, 8-12 or more in. 1., 2-3 in. br. ; branches short and 
again shortly branched, or some developing into branches as large as 
the primary fronds. Major leaves spreading horizontally, oblong, acute 
or sub-acute at the point, the base deeper on the upper side but not 
auricled to lap over the rachis, except in the final branchlets, and the 
margins quite plain, \\-2\ li. 1. f-i li. w. at the base, apart on the main 
rachis, but becoming gradually imbricating on the final ones. Minor 
leaves \-\\ li. 1. obliquely ovate, unequal sided, acute pointed, attached 
on the inner side at the base of the narrower half, slightly overlapping ; 
margins quite plain. Rachis broad and prominent, flexible, fully ex- 
posed on the under side ; texture herbaceous; colour dark green. Spikes 
2-5 li. 1. decrescent, much bulged out at the base with the macrospores, 
which are unusually large. 
