LASTREA. 131 



and on shady banks and rocks. It is of an elegant drooping 

 aspect, and is cultivated without difficulty. It is the more 

 valuable as a pot plant from its moderate size and its ever- 

 green character. 



This species is the Lastrea recurva of some writers, and 

 the Nephrodium fcenisecii of others. 



LASTEEA OEEOPTEKIS, Presl. The Mountain Fern; 

 sometimes called Heath Pern. (Plate VII.) 



This is a very elegant species, growing shuttle-cock fashion 

 around the central crown of the stem, to the height of from 

 two to three feet; and it is, moreover, so fragrant when 

 drawn through the hand as to 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 strongly that peculiar odour which many Ferns 

 possess a sort of earthy, starchy smell, by no means dis- 

 agreeable. 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 pinnse are so short that the frond tapers 



