LASTRJ3A OREOPTEIUS. 
1G9 
LASTED'A OEEO’PTERIS. 
This has been called by botanists Aspidium odoriferum , 
A. oreopteris, Hemetiheum montanum, Lastrcea montana, 
Polypodium fragrans, P. oreopteris, P. thalypteris, P. 
montanum, and Polystiehum montanum. In English it 
is known as the Mountain Fern, Heath Fern, Mountain 
Buckler Fern, Heath Shield Fern, and Heath Polypody. 
The uniform reference in these names to “Mountain” 
and “ Heath ” indicates the places which it frequents. 
Root, largo, black, scaly, and tufted; with numerous 
stout, matted rootlets. Fronds several, growing in a 
circle, between two and three feet high, erect, spear¬ 
head shaped in goneral outline. Stem covered with 
flno hairs on the upper part, and slightly with pale 
brown scales at the bottom; pale green and deeply 
channelled in front. Leaflets extending nearly to the 
bottom of the stalk, almost opposite, stalkless, deeply 
lobed, so as nearly to form leaflts; lobes bluntly pointed, 
smooth, except the midrib, which is downy. Underside 
sprinklod with shining, yellowish, resinous globules, 
yielding a grateful scent. Fructification in a row near 
the edge of each lobe, and when ripe the round masses 
nearly run together, forming a brown beaded line close 
to the edge. The cover ( indusium) of each mass is thin, 
white, kidney-shaped, but almost circular, and soon 
shrivelling up. 
It is usually found upon mountain heaths, but it has 
been found also in shady woods, where the soil is moist. 
