Dec. 1903.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 441 



Several of our commonest species at home — such as the 

 dandelion, daisy, and deadnettle — are entirely absent from 

 the islands. Their places are taken by plants of very 

 different character. On waste ground everywhere is a 

 pretty, graceful sort of thistle (Galadites tomentosa) ; and 

 quite as common is the squirting cucumber {Ecbalium 

 Elatcrium). Suflicient of the drug grows wild in Minorca 

 to supply the needs of a century at the present rate of 

 consumption. 



There is no pasture in the Balearics, and therefore few 

 of the grasses that make our English hay, — no cats'-tails, 

 fox-tails, or dogs'-tails, nor, in fact, any species with the 

 name j'ra^ff^isz's. And, as a consequence, there are no milch 

 cows and no butter. Goats, pigs, and sheep pick up wliat 

 they can among the rocks, by the roadsides, and on the 

 stubbles. Sheep, as the most dainty feeders, come off the 

 worst. As they wander over the stones, gaunt and hungry, 

 pitiful objects, with every rib showing, they tell you 

 plainly that it is useless to ask for mutton-chops in the 

 islands. Cow's milk, beef, and butter are city luxuries, to 

 be obtained only by much favour and many pesetas. The 

 universal custom is to breakfast on a peculiar rich, light 

 bun or cake called " ensiamada," which is much more readily 

 eaten than described. It is slightly indigestible, and with 

 coffee or chocolate stands by one well until the midday 

 meal. 



It is vain to look for English hedgerow flowers that 

 beautify our deep lanes and wood-borders in the springtime. 

 There are no sweet violets, bluebells, or red campions ; no 

 golden celandine, stitchwort, or blue speedwells. We 

 bruise no broad-leaved ramsons under foot and sniff their 

 odour, Nor does marsh-marigold edge willowy copses 

 with its splendid flowers. No upland fields are gay with 

 gorse or daffodils, nor in the south does " modest woodruff 

 scent the mossy shade." But yet our British hawthorn 

 seems quite at home, flowering in April. We noted also 

 the blackthorn, large nettle, and some docks. Oddly 

 enough, the whole six Balearic geraniums are common 

 Bristol plants. In all else no vegetation could be more 

 unlike. The hillsides are covered with red and white 

 Cistns, lavender. Genista, mastic, and big shrubs of heath 



