340 Mr. J. Ball on the Botany of Sicily. 



prised by the almost total change in the vegetation. The least 

 curious eye must be struck by the strange forms of the dis- 

 torted Opuntia, the dark glossy foliage of the Carubia, or the 

 stiff motionless aloe (Agave americana), which within a short 

 period has become universally diffused ; but to the botanist 

 few of the new objects which meet him in every direction will 

 be more attractive than the beautiful and varied species of 

 Graminece. 



The neighbourhood of Messina, particularly the sandy tract 

 extending to the now undreaded Charybdis and the Pelorian 

 promontory, is peculiarly rich in plants of this class ; here will 

 be found the beautiful Panicum tenerifce*, R. Br. (Saccharum 

 teneriffce, Fl. Gr.), the Lamarckia aurea, Mcench., Stipa tor- 

 tilis, Dsf. ; many species of Festuca of the Vulpia group, in- 

 cluding F. alopecurus, Pers., and F. ligustica, Bert, (whether 

 the latter be distinct from F. geniculata, W., is I should think 

 doubtful) ; the Avena condensata, Link, which occurs here and 

 elsewhere on the east coast (it may be doubted whether this 

 should not be united with A. neglecta, W.), and Mgilops tri- 

 aristata, W. The genus Mgilops requires further study and 

 illustration ; though favoured by specimens from the Botanic 

 Garden at Pisa, I can find no permanent character by which 

 to distinguish JE, neglecta, Savi, from JE. ovata, nor do the 

 remarks of Bertoloni enable me to separate M. triaristata,W., 

 from JE. triuncialis, L. Amongst the species of other orders, 

 the botanist will notice several maritime Umbelliferce, inclu- 

 ding Thapsia Garganica, Fl. Gr., and Cachrys Sicula, L., and 

 among the less conspicuous plants the Gnaphalium tenuifo- 

 lium, Psl.t, which seems to have some claims to the rank of a 

 distinct species. 



The rocks near St. Alessio are covered with beautiful spe- 

 cies, including Scabiosa cretica, L., Matthiola rupestris, R. Br. 

 (which seems too near to M. sinuata),Dianthus velutinus,Guss., 

 Silene fruticosa, L., Euphorbia ceratocarpa, and E. biglandu- 

 losa, Dsf., Ly thrum Grafferi, Ten., Artemisia arborescens, L., 

 Cent aurea sicula, L., and C. cineraria, L. ; also Cineraria bico- 

 lor, W. (it is to be wished that some botanist would clear up the 

 confusion that exists as to several species of this group). The 

 neighbouring sands abound in rare plants ; the Matthiola tri- 

 cuspidata, R. Br., is conspicuous ; amongst the Graminece, the 

 scarce Bromus fasciculatus, Presl, Festuca ( Vulpia) ciliata, 

 DeC, a beautiful and distinct species, F. maritima, Kunth 



* I have not observed the reddish tint given to the figure in the * Flora 

 Graeca.' 



f Filago Gallica, /3. DC. Prod. 



