10 6 BRITISH FERNS . 
turned inwards and overlap each other, adhering 
closely to the stem. The branches spring up in tufts, 
and generally bear a pair of cones, sometimes one, and 
occasionally three. These cones are covered with 
little bracts, in the axils of which the capsules lie 
concealed. When the seed is ripe the capsules 
burst, the bracts turn back, and the cones assume a 
dishevelled appearance. 
Pretty ornaments are formed of this plant by rustic 
belles and beaux, and Linnaeus describes how the boys 
in Lapland weave it into crowns, and Tragus mentions 
the same custom in Germany. The fireworks for 
which districts in Persia were long ago renowned, were 
indebted, it is said, to this plant for the wonderful 
effects produced. Olearius says the sudden appear¬ 
ance and disappearance of brilliant flames is caused 
by the use of “ Russian Planu,” a yellow dust beaten 
out of the “ Beerlap, or Devil’s Claw.” His descrip' 
tion of this plant exactly tallies with that of our 
Wolf’s Claw, and the idea that he referred to this 
plant is confirmed by the fact that Sir J. E. Smith 
tells us that this dust is still used in Germany to pro¬ 
duce artificial lightning on the stage. It is said to 
have a healing property when applied to the skin, and 
to be a remedy for the dreadful disease known as 
Plica Polonica, which exists chiefly in Poland. 
It will grow in a conservatory or closed case if the 
soil be composed of sandstone with a substratum 
of peat earth, and the branches be well pegged down- 
