THE FERN PARADISE. 



and will thrive in the open rockery, in the green- 

 house, or indoors, if grown under the conditions 

 which have been described. 



6. 



THE MOUNTAIN BUCKLER FERN. 



Lastrea montana. 



PLATE 6, Fm. 5. 



JWO peculiarities, strongly marked, .dis- 

 tinguish this beautiful and symmetri- 

 cally-formed species from the rest of 

 the group amongst which it is ranked. Ordinarily, 

 when Ferns are bruised in the hand, a strong 

 starchy odour is emitted. It has been already 

 mentioned, however, that in the case of the Hay- 

 scented Buckler Fern, there is given out when the 

 fronds are bruised, an exquisite scent of hay. 

 When the Mountain Buckler Fern is crushed or 

 rubbed, a very strong balsamic odour is emitted; 

 and this is a characteristic which renders it easily 



354 



