in Provence and the Cevennes. 323 



plane (Acer platanokks) ; while the laburnum and Judas 

 tree (Ccrcis) were in full bloom, and the grass green and 

 bright, the contrast to the scene we had left being very 

 agreeable. Presently the valley opened out, and further 

 on we passed a saw-mill worked by water power, in which 

 pUmks for packing cases were being cut up, and the road 

 then led through a number of orchards and meadows. On 

 reaching Aubagne we took the train to Toalon, the rail- 

 way passing along the coast, and affording some fine views 

 of the sea. Here again the vines are nearly all destroyed, 

 and cereals are grown on the terraces which were constructed 

 for them ; but we saw great numbers of olive trees and 

 many fields of " everlastings," wdiicli are exported for 

 making funeral wreaths. We were met at the station and 

 conducted to our hotel by M. IMadon, the forest officer in 

 charge of the Maures, to whose kindness and courtesy 

 we subsequently owed so much. 



On the following morning we were to have inspected 

 the celebrated 3Iont Faron, but heavy rain fell all day, 

 a most unusual circumstance at this time of year, and it 

 was impossible to get out ; wdiile, as our arrangements for 

 carriages had all been, of necessity, made in advance, we 

 could not find another day for the expedition, and had 

 reluctantly to give it up. 



Forest of !^^ONTRIEux. 



After a night somewhat disturbed by the roaring of lions 

 in a menagerie hard by, we made an early start in a large 

 omnibus to visit the Forest of Montrieux, which is situated 

 in the hills, at a distance of about twenty miles north of 

 Toulon. After passing Mont Faron, which rises close behind 

 the town, an excellent road led us over a plateau between 

 olive gardens and ruined vineyards, and thence down into the 

 valley of the Capot stream, which the previous day's storm 

 had raised to flood level. AVhen nearing our destination 

 we turned down a narrow lane, dashed across a torrent, 

 and then walked through a forest of oaks and pines to the 

 convent of Montrieux-le-Jeune, where we had breakfast. 

 M. Madon then gave us some information about the 

 culture of the olive in this region. The trees are grown 

 up to an altitude of about 1300 feet, the produce being 



