THE MOUNTAIN BUCKLER FERN. 



ceolato, much tapered below as well as upwards, pinnate. Pinnw opposite or alternate, numerous; tlic 

 lower ones more distant* obtusely triangular; those higher up gradually lengthening till about the 

 middle of the frond, where they are linear-lanceolate, or rather broadest at the base tapering to a long 

 narrow point; tlio upper ones again are shorter, but also narrower ; all arc deeply pinnalilid. I*nh*:$ 

 flat* oblong, obtuse, entire, or occasionally crenatcd, sometimes slightly falcate, the basal ones longest 



Venation of the lobes consisting of a flexuous midvein, producing alternate trim, which are 

 simple or forked ; the temdes extend to the margin, and bear the sori near their apices. 



Fructification on the back of the fronds, and most abundant on the upper half, 5W moderate- 

 sized, circular, produced near the ends of the venules, and forming n miimiarginal series, often 

 confluent* sometimes without indusia, Inthmtim small, thin, jagged, evanescent Spore-case^ 

 numerous, brown, obovate, Sporrs roundish or oblong, muriculatc. 



Duration* The caudcx is perennial. Tlio fronds are only annual, growing up in spring about May. 

 and becoming destroyed by the autumnal frosts, 





This fragrant Fern may be at once distinguished by its balsamic scent ; by the short lower pimue 

 which extend down almost to the caudex of the pimiato-piimnlilid, marginally dot-fruited fronds; and 

 by the latter growing in tufts. The indusia arc very small and evanescent, and are sometimes wanting, 

 but the species is too closely allied to other genuine Lastreas, L. novtboracensi* for example, to permit of 

 its sc|>aration from the genus on account of tins peculiarity. Indeed, such frivolous distinctions are 

 always to be avoided. 



Though so common a species in gome localities, it is not one which readily submiU to cultivation, 

 and many have l>cen the failures of those who have attempted its domestication, "Wo are indebted to 

 Sir, Wollaston for a suggestion which has enabled us to attain greater success than usual, and which 

 is quite in accordance with observations subsequently made in its wild localities, Mr. Wollasten's 

 plan is to pot or plant in pure loam, and to keep this soil wet through the whiter, when the plants 

 arc potted, this being dono by keeping a feeder full of water constantly beneath them. Probably a 

 constant supply from a syphon, allowing the superfluous quantity to overflow, so that there might be 

 n constant change going on, would be a still better arrangement ; it would at least assimilate more 

 exactly with the constant percolation which must be going on in its native hills. There is no difficulty 

 in securing a supply of the plants in the localities where it occurs, where young seedling plants arc 

 most abundant. 

 Two curious varieties of this species have been observed, namely : — 



1. truncate (W.>. This form was found near Tunbridge Wells, Kent* by Mr. Wollaston, It is a 

 curious monstrosity, and proves permanent under cultivation. The apices of the fronds, and with 



very few exceptions, those of the piumc also, are abrupt, and the end of the midvein projects nearly 

 a quarter of an inch beyond the pinnules, giving the plant the appearance of having been eaten off in 

 a uniform manner by some mollusk. The graceful outline and aspect of the plant are quitu destroyed. 

 In all other respects this variety resembles the normal plant, 



2. mtfXi (M,). In this the pinnules are undulated or wavy, so that the frond has a crispy 

 appearance. It was found by Dr. Balfour, on the Clova mountains. 



