THE BUCKLER FERNS. 
245 
of the Hay-scented Buckler Fern, there is emitted, 
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 recognizable. There is further an 
unmistakable mark of recognition in the form of 
its fronds. About these there is a sort of general 
resemblance to the Male Fern, except in one 
particular. In the Male Fern the frond tapers to 
a point upwards ; but not in the opposite direc- 
tion, although the branches at the base of the 
frond are sometimes a little shorter than those 
in the centre. But the branches of the frond in 
the Mountain Buckler Fern taper downwards 
towards the base, almost as much as they taper 
upwards ; the branches in the lowest part being 
nothing more than the tiniest leafy excrescences on 
each side of the rachis. This continuation of the 
leafy portion of the frond downwards necessarily 
leaves but a very short stipes to the Mountain 
Fern ; and this short stipes is covered with rust- 
coloured scales. On the rachis of the frond in 
