1884.] TREES IN THE DOLOMITE DISTEICT. 251 



On the other side of Ihe Porphyry mountain range, at about 5,000 ft. 

 above sea-level, we reached the great Austrian State forests of 

 Travignolo. It was a grand sight to see Scotch Firs growing to 

 perfection, many of them 100 ft. high, and from ten to twelve feet in 

 girth. Among other Fir trees that grow in these vast forests must be 

 mentioned the Plnus ccmhra, of which I omitted to say that its wood 

 is fine-grained and easy to work, so that it is principally used by 

 the far-famed Tyrolese wood-carvers. 



This vast estate is carefully managed, and although there is an 

 annual cutting down, to furnish 15,000 logs, 14 ft. long, the supply 

 of timber seems inexhaustible, for replanting goes on at the same 

 rate. The property is managed from Paneveggio (4,500 ft.) where an 

 enthusiastic dendrologist would be made comfortable for a few days, 

 while studying the beauties of the forest. At Predasso (3,335) por- 

 phyry reigns supreme. There Humbolt, Murchison, and a host of 

 other geologists have been to see the extinct volcano, out of which 

 once poured syenite, granite and the lifjuid porphyry that rests 

 above the Dolomite formation. 



From Predasso to Neumark, in the valley of the Adige, is another 

 beautiful drive. Beyond Cavalese, and outside the Dolomite dis- 

 trict, the road passed through extensive Fir] forests. On descend- 

 ing towards the valley, part of the road was planted with fine 

 AVillows, out of reach of visible water. I noticed a Chestnut about 

 27 ft. in girth, and a fine Lime tree about 15 ft. In the valley we 

 drove through Mulberries and Vines; Saphorce japonicas were flower- 

 ing gorgeously, and in Neumark I saw an Elder tree, reaching to tlie 

 roof of a three-storied house. To this imperfect sketch of Dolomite 

 trees, I may be allowed to add that at Pdva, and on the 

 shores of Lake Garda, Olive trees flourish abundantly, but there 

 were none of great age, as at Mentone. Lemons are only extensively 

 grown at Limone, a village in a bay two hours' row from Piiva. They 

 are grown there on terraces rising one above the other, but in 

 winter they require to be placed under cover, whereas at INIentone the 

 trees live in the open all the year round. The Garda lemons are, I 

 believe, smaller, greenish, and only tit for home consumption. At 

 the other Italian lakes, the Cypress is the tree that strikes one 

 most, as it often breaks the monotony of soft outline and still softer 

 colour. The two largest I met with were 6 ft. in girth, with the 

 exception of one, which was 7 ft. ; but it was growing in a well 

 protected sunny spot of the Serbellone Gardens, near a fine Palm 

 tree and an Oak, 12 ft. in circumference — the only respectable Oak I 

 met with in a two months' trip. 



