is lanceolate, more or less broad, and in tlien mode of division
they are pinnate, the pinnæ usually set on nearly or
quite opposite in pairs, and having an obtusely oblong outline,
with a deeply-lobed or pinnatifid margin. They are of
a thick duU-looking texture, and are more or less clothed on
both surfaces, but especially on the veins beneath, with
minute bristle-like scales, and shining jointed hairs, among
which the sori are almost concealed. The stipes is also
scaly, and, as occurs in a whole group of these Woodsias,
has a joint or articulation at a short distance from its base,
at which point separation takes place if the fronds are left
on to attain a good old age, the lower part remaining attached
to the caudex, while the upper part falls away.
The veining of the segments of the pinnæ consists of a
rather indistinct midvein, from which the venules, either
simple or branched, proceed towards the margin, near to
which the sori are produced.
There seems no reasonable doubt that the Eern which
Linnæus called AorosticJium ilvense is that now under notice.
It has also been called Polypodimn ilvense.
THE BRITISH CLUB-MOSSES.
Genus XIX. LYCOPODIUM, Linnoeus.
«
T h e Lycopodiums, c om m o n ly c a lled C lu b -m o ss e s , are m o s s lik
e p la n ts , m o s t ly o f c r e e p in g or d e c um b e n t h a b it ; an d
th e ir s tem s , w h ic h c o n s is t o f an n u la r or sp ir a l v e s s e ls in te r m
ix e d w ith c e llu la r m a tte r , are c lo th e d w ith c e lln la r* lea v e s,
so p la c ed th a t th e y o v e r lie e a ch o th e r lik e th e t ilin g o f a
ro o f. T h e fru c tific a tio n i s p rod u c ed in t h e a x ils o f th e
le a v e s , a n d is in m o s t o f th e sp e c ie s c o n fin e d to th e ap ic e s
o f th e b r a n ch e s , w h e r e i t fo rm s a c o n e -h k e h ead .
The organs of reproduction at once distinguish the Club-
mosses from all other plants. They consist of kidney-shaped
spore-cases, one- to three-valved, and containing bodies
of two distinct kinds. One kind consists of minute powdery
matter, in the shape of smooth resinous grains, which,
by reason of lateral pressure, acquire the form of irregular
polygons. These bodies have been called antheridia by
some botanists, and their granular contents have been con