Several recently published regionalized models of the earth's lateral heterogeneity obtained by 'pure-path' analysis are compared to free oscillation data of Masters et al. [1982>. Among these models, Okal's [1977> model shows a strongly dominant pattern of angular order l=2 heterogeneity that is strikingly similar to Masters et al.'s data. This suggests that Okal's model may explain the free oscillation data as well as the ''transition-zone'' model of Masters et al., and that shallow lateral heterogeneity may be responsible for the simple pattern of Masters et al. The apparent success of Okal's model suggests the importance of lateral heterogeneity within oceanic regions. The instability of 'pure-path' analysis is also demonstrated by spectral analysis of the lateral heterogeneities of different 'pure-path' models.