LASTREA MONTANA. 221 



Spain, in 1860, I found it near Boo, Lascaldas, Santander, in 

 the Hoz de Barcena, Cartes, and between Reinosa and Allar. 



The Mountain Fern has fragrant fronds of from twelve to 

 forty inches in length, and from three to eleven inches in 

 breadth; the colour bright green or yellowish green, of a vivid 

 refreshing appearance. Underneath there are a profusion of 

 small resinous glands, which give out a balsamic odour that is 

 exceedingly agreeable. 



Fronds pinnate and lanceolate, tapering considerably both to 

 the base and apex. Pinnae linear-lanceolate, numerous, profoundly 

 pinnatifid, the basal ones short, triangular, and more distant. 

 Lobes oblong, flat, and mostly entire. 



Sori marginal, most abundant on the upper portion of the 

 frond, circular, of moderate size, frequently confluent. Indusium 

 diminutive and very thin, mostly imperfect, often wanting. 

 Caudex perennial and tufted, stout and creeping. The fronds 

 annual, springing up in May, and being destroyed by the first 

 frosts of autumn. Stipes brief, stout, and glandular, covered 

 with pale brown membranaceous scales. Rachis scaly below. 



A very readily distinguished species, and although frequently 

 found in low boggy situations, it is much more profusely 

 abundant in mountainous districts. In Great Britain it ranges 

 from the sea level to three thousand feet. Like Lastrea the- 

 lypteris, this Fern must be grown in a wet peaty situation. 



There are several interestinof varieties: — 



Fig. 174. 



Crtst.\.t.\, Moore. (Fig. 174.) — Found in Monmouthshire by 



Mr. T- H. Thomas. A lovely form analogous to the cristate 



form of Lastrea propinqua, (the Lastrea jilix-mas cristata of 



authors.) The fronds are somewhat smaller than the normal 



2 G 



