GARDENS AKD OEAh'GE GROUNDS OF ST. MICHAEL'S. 239 



sometimes trailing down the sides of the mountains, at others 

 growing up into large trees. Campanula Vidalii is the best I 

 have seen of its genus ; it forms a spreading bush, growing from 

 two to three feet high, and producing masses of cream-coloured 

 flowers. These, with the following Ferns, form the principal 

 features of t lie natise vegetation of St. Micliael's : — Balantiiim 

 culcita, "Woodwardia radicans, several common Aspidiums, Os- 

 munda regalis, Hymenopliyllum Tunbridgense, and Lycopodium 

 denticulatum abound. 



My object in contributing these observations regarding the 

 gardens and Orange-grounds of St. Michael's is, that I tliink they 

 may prove of service to such of our wealthy aristocracy as may 

 possess villas on the shores of the Mediterranean, pointing out, 

 as I will do, what plants they might successfully introduce to 

 ornament their lawns and pleasure-grounds, and those which best 

 resist the baneful effects of the salt spray, when driven by strong 

 winds from the sea to the shore. 



The garden of Senhor Jose do Canto, the gentleman with whom 

 I was engaged, contains about sixteen acres, a small portion 

 of which is laid out in the shape of a kitchen garden and orchard, 

 the rest in that of lawns and i)leasure-ground. It was designed 

 by Mr. Mocata, a London architect, and is situated on an incline 

 facing, at about a mile distant from the sea. When I arrived it 

 was partly laid out by Mr. Brown, an English gardener, sent 

 here by the Messrs. Osborn, of the Fulham Nursery. 



A large architectural conservatory was being erected for such 

 plants as were too tender to withstand the sea breeze ; and other 

 operations were in progress for the completion of a good garden. 



Senhor Jose do Canto at that time had collected nearlj"^ two 

 thousand different species of trees, shrubs, and plants into his 

 garden ; and it was truly an admirable and beautiful sight to see 

 the leafy natives of almost every clime growing side by side. 

 The Anona and tlie Apple, the Guava and the Green-yage, the 

 Loquat and the Peach, the Poinsettia pulcherrima and the old 

 English Oak, all thrive together in this highly favoured little 

 island. No attempt had been made to arrange the plants sys- 

 tematically, but as is generally the case in private gardens, they 

 were planted in the belts or clumps in such situations as were 

 thought suitable for them. The collection comprises some fine 

 specimens of Paulownia imperialis, two of which are thirty feet 

 high, with clear stems, ten fe^t above the ground (the stems 

 measuring three feet in circumference at the base), and round 

 spreading tops twenty feet in diameter. These two trees are 

 about seven years old from the seed. The singular manner in 

 which the Paulownia annually produces its flowers is worthy of 

 notice. AYhen the summer growth is made flower-spikes are 



