292 
founded as they were in the middle of the 16th century. There is 
the same predilection for straight lines, tall clipped hedges, broad 
gravel walks and statuary. But there is one thing that gives the 
Italian Gardens a very distinctive character, which is the prevalence 
of the spire-like, fastigiate form of Cupressus sempervirens. Here 
there is a splendid avenue of them over 300 years old, some of the 
trunks being over 6 ft. in girth. The Holm oak is much used to 
form hedges and in its natural shape; in one place it is made to 
form the low arches of a long pleached alley. At the lower side 
of the garden there is a pleasing old-time arrangement of formal 
box-edged beds and statuary surrounded by water. 
NaPLEs. 
The most important public place for tree study in Naples is the 
Villa Nationale, a park and promenade stretching along near the 
sea at the west end of the town for two-thirds of a mile. It was 
originally laid out in 1780, and there are in places some finely grown 
trees. is was the most southerly point I reached, and the lati- 
. tude was indicated by the character of the trees and shrubs grown, 
which were of a more subtropical character than I had seen either 
at Florence or Rome. Among palms, Sabal Blackburniana was in 
robust health; a group of 14 examples of Washingtonia robusta with 
their uniform circular stems suggest the columns of a Greek temple ; 
besides the common Phoenix canariensis there is a fine specimen of 
the date palm 50 ft. high. Strelitzia augusta was in flower; Gre- 
villea robusta was 50 ft. and Casuarina equisetifolia 20 to 30 ft. 
carried enormous crops of persistent cone-like fruits, 14 to 24 inches 
long. An Erythrina, probably E. Caffra, 30 ft. high, had a trunk 
.2 ft. in diameter. Agave potatorum was in flower, as was also Acacia 
longifolia 30 ft. high. The branches of Cercis Siliquastrum were 
simply cylindrical masses of blossom. The value of Holm oak as a 
sea-side shelter tree (apparent enough in some of our south coast 
resorts) was very evident here. Of three rows of trees, those on 
the outside are within 20 yards of the sea, much battered and tilted 
over from windward ; the middle row shows the same influences to 
a less degree, whilst those of the third row are ractically normal 
in growth and shape. With so many interesting trees available for 
the purpose, the use of common Robinia Pseudacacia as an avenue 
tree in this climate can scarcely be regarded as an inspiration, the 
trees (in full flower on April 12th) have a thin meagre aspect. 
mong the plants used for bedding are Cinerarias and Clivia 
miniata, 
La Froriprana, NapLes. 
Through the kindness of Sir Schomberg K. McDonnell I obtained 
an introduction to the garden at La Floridiana. The villa was 
uilt by one of the Bourbon Kings of Naples—a white house 
most beautiful and admirably managed in Naples. From its elevated 
site glorious views are to be had of the sea with the islands of Capri 
and Ischia in the distance, of Vesuvius, and the coast line of the 
