53 



In following this route the opportunity is afforded the 

 visitor for inspecting at close range some of the native trees 

 previously mentioned in these pages. In addition to the 

 native trees and shrubs, several specimens of Bamboos will 

 be observed. 



The overhanging branches of the bamboos, and the 

 various other trees and shrubs, afford a certain amount of 

 shade, and make conditions for walking up the steep slope 

 more pleasant than would be the case if the path were exposed 

 to the sun. It may be observed that the bamboos serve a 

 double purpose in that they provide shade, and, planted as 

 they are on the lower edge of the walk, help to bind the soil 

 and prevent the path from slipping away during the wet 

 seasons. Less than half way up the walk a path branching 

 off to the right will be noticed. This is the upper garden path 

 which passes behind the various cacao plots and leads to the 

 Curator's office. 



From this point, taking the path leading up the hill, the 

 top of the Morne Bruce cliff is reached in less than 5 minutes. 

 Having reached the top after a strenuous climb, a few minutes 

 will be well spent on the seat, from which a good view of the 

 Gardens and surrounding country can be obtained. The 

 large palm growing on the site of the old ruined Fort is 

 Corypha umbrae nl if era, the Talipot palm of Ceylon. 



Planted along the edge of the cliff are several trees of the 

 Flamboyante, Poinciana regia, interplanted with Cassia 

 Fistula, both of which make a fine show in the flowering 

 season. The latter is known locally as " Cass." The 

 medicinal value of the pods has been referred to elsewhere. 

 Several vernacular names have been given to this tree in India 

 and Ceylon where it is a native : Indian Laburnum being the 

 most appropriate to English ears owing to the resemblance of 

 its yellow flowers to those of the well-known Laburnum of 

 cooler regions. 



Proceeding for some distance along the path a lime 

 nursery of some 2 acres in extent will be noted on the left. 

 Close by is a collection of Australian Gum trees, Eucalyptus 

 spp. established some years ago from seeds imported from 

 Australia. Prior to the hurricanes of 1915 and 1916 the 

 collection comprised some seventy-two species, but many of 



