TAB. XXXI. 
Aspidium (Lastrea) Boutonianum, Hook. 
Fronde glaberrima majuscula membranaceo-subcoriacea ob- 
longa acuminata pinnata, pinnis sessilibus oblongo-linearibus 
obtusis usque ad apicem lobato-pinnatifidis, lobis ovalibus 
obtusis sinuato-serratis, yenis pinnatis apicibus clayatis su- 
pra albo-punctatis, soris venulas terminantibus, involucris 
ciliatis, rachi laevissima supra pubescente, stipite breviusulo 
versus basin articulato deciduo nudo, caudice longissimo 
squamis peltatis erosis tecto. 
Hab. Eastern summit of the c ‘Montagne longue,” Mauritius, 
M. Bouton . 
I can no where find that this very distinct Aspidium (or 
Lastrea) is described, and yet it is one of the best marked of 
the family. It appears to have been only collected on the 
spot just mentioned, and is there said by my correspondent to 
be extremely rare in fructification. It is remarkable for the 
white spot or dots on the upper side of the pinnae where the 
veins terminate, which appear to be due to a resinous sub- 
stance exuding from the vein, and forming a small scale 
which may be easily removed entire, — for the articulated 
stipes, but, above all, for the great length of the caudex, about 
the thickness of a writing pen, ee which takes root in the rocks 
and climbs upon the adjacent trees ; ” this is densely clothed 
with chaffy peltate scales, torn and erose at the margin. 
Fig. 1. Lobe of a pinna, showing the clavate apices to the 
veins, f. 2. Fertile lobe, seen from beneath, f. 3. Involucre : 
— magnified . 
