Flora Medica

LYCOPODIACE^.Nat. syst.ed. 2. p. 4-03.LYCOPODIUM.Thecae unilocular, all of one form, or of 2 different forms ;thatwhich contains powder somewhat reniform and 2-valved, theother roundish, 3- or 4-lobed, 3- or 4-valved.1320. L. clavatum Linn, sp.pl 1564-. E. Bot. t. 224-. SmithEng. Fl. iv. 331. Mountainous heaths and moors, all overEurope.Roots of several strong scattered fibres. Stem procumbent, trailing,branching, leafy, several feet in length. Leaves crowded, curved upwards,linear-lanceolate, flat, ribless, smooth, deep green, partly serrated,tipped with a capillary point ; those of the branches erect the ; upperones loosely dispersed. Spikes terminal, usually in pairs, rarely 1, or 3,densely beset with shortened, dilated, ovate, entire, long-pointed leaves,or scales, in whose bosoms the small, thecae aresulphur-colouredsituated. Smith. The dust of the thecae is inflammable, and is employedin some parts of Europe to produce artificial lightning on thestage. The decoction of the plant is said to be more serviceable thanany other known means in removing Plica polonica. The powderisalso used to prevent excoriation in children.1321. L. Selago Linn, sp.pl. 1565. E. Bot. t. 233. SmithEng. Fl. iv. 333. Common in Europe in mountainous heaths.Root fibrous. Stems a span high, composing dense tufts, level atthe top, each once or twice forked, cylindrical, densely leafy all over.Leaves uniform, crowded, in 8 rows, of a bright shining green, permanent,lanceolate, entire, acute, pointless, moderately spreading everyway. Thecae on the uppermost shoots, axillary, kidney-shaped, uniform.Smith. In the Highlands of Scotland it is made into an irritatingointment which is applied with advantage to the neighbourhood of theeyes as a counter irritant. This unguent is also employed to dressfoul ulcers, and might be used for keeping blisters open instead of Savin.Internally administered the Selago acts violently as an emetic andcathartic ;the Highlanders we are told notwithstanding give it ininfusion ;but if the dose is not small it is followed by serious giddinessand convulsions. Linnasus says the Swedes find the decoction serviceableas a detergent lotion, and in destroying the vermin that infestswine and other animals. Burnett. Dr. Winkler says its effects appearto be sometimes irritant, but more generally narcotic in their nature.1322. L. rubrum Chamisso in Linncea viii. 389. Thishas lately been sent from the Caraccas under the name ofAtum Condinadum, as a medicinal plant, along with Cuichunchulli,but I do not know for what purposeit is used. Itsbright red colour isvery remarkable.621