184 A MIDWINTER MONTH 



structed for the purpose of supplying Grasse with water. It runs 

 along the side of the hill, dipping down and up in a syphon at a 

 depression in the mountain side. Beside this I found Polygala 

 Nicceensis^ Osyris alba, and a fine pink Candytuft {Ibei'is lifiifolia)^ 

 from which I have raised seedlings that now form splendid, 

 compact masses of flower, fully a couple of feet in diameter. 

 I should be pleased to send seeds to any readers who may care to 

 send an envelope for them. 



By following the watercourse, I emerged in a few minutes on 

 a well made road leading along the hills, which were here covered 

 with Cistus albidus (now in fruit), small oaks, and other shrubs. 

 A little way along the road I found large shells of Zofiites celJarius 

 and a couple of big brown ants {Formica cruentata). In returning 

 I followed the road down to Grasse past an ornamental fountain 

 at the end of the aqueduct, and some way lower down the road 

 found plants of Salvia clandestina. 



From Grasse I took the train to Hyeres, spending an hour 

 enjoying the view from the Promenade de la Croisette at Cannes 

 while waiting for the train. Cannes itself has grown so large 

 and has been so built over of late, that I am told it is difficult 

 now to get country walks in the neighbourhood. Many years 

 ago it was possible to find anemones and pink maiden tulips 

 [Tulipa Clusiand) growing wild at the Croisette close to Cannes. 



The train did not reach Hyeres till dusk, and on driving up 

 to the hotel I was much charmed with the effect of the electric 

 arc lamps which now illuminate the avenue of palm trees 

 between the station and the town. 



Hyeres, the most southerly station on the Riviera, is a small 

 town at the foot of a line of hills, of heights ranging up to 800 

 feet. The sea is about three miles away, but is seen from the 

 town, with the islands of Hyeres (the Stcechades of the ancient 

 Romans) in the distance. 



The following morning I walked up the Colline des Oiseaux. 

 The way lay along the main road to Costebelle for some dis- 

 tance past the station, diverging by a rough cart-track nearly 

 opposite the Hermitage. In a cottage garden near here some 

 fine double narcissus were in flower which I remembered having 

 seen there fourteen years previously. I had some little difficulty 



