LASTKEA. 99 



Lastrea montana, Moore. 



The Mountain Buclder Fern, or Heath Fern. 

 (Plate VII.) 



This is a very elegant species, the fronds growing shut- 

 tlecock fashion around the central cro^Yn which terminates 

 the stem, to the height of from two to three feet. The 

 plant is so -fragrant, that when drawn through the hand it 

 may be recognized from its kindred by this circumstance 

 alone. The fragrance is due to the presence of numerous 

 minute glandular bodies on the lower surface, which, being 

 bruised when the plant is handled, give out a strong 

 peculiar balsamic fragrance, by no means disagreeable, ac- 

 companied, if more roughly handled, by the peculiar starchy 

 odour which many Ferns possess. 



The fronds are annual, springing up about May, and 

 enduring through the summer. They are erect, lance- 

 shaped in their outline, pinnately divided ; and there is 

 this about them remarkable, that the stipes is unusually 

 short, the leafy part being continued nearly down to the 

 ground, and the lower pinnje becoming so short that the 

 frond tapers downwards as much, or perhaps more, than it 

 does towards the point. The pinnte generally stand oppo- 



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