LASTREA. 
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Lastrea Montana, Moore. 
The Mountain Buckler Fern , or Heath Fern. 
(Plate VII.) 
This is a very elegant species, the fronds growing shut- 
tlecock fashion around the central crown 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 pinnae becoming so short that the 
frond tapers downwards as much, or perhaps more, than it 
does towards the point. The pinnae generally stand oppo- 
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