180 THE ISLAND OF MALTA. [Juue, 



to fall, and contiime during the month of October; the pre- 

 cipitations are comnaonly in the form of heavy showers, accom- 

 panied with tremendous lightning, whose gleams are nearly un- 

 interrupted, and the peals of thunder almost deafening. In No- 

 vember the weather begins to assume a more settled appearance, 

 being mild and warm; the earth is covered with myriads of 

 flowers, and Nature, so recently dry and parched up, now wears a 

 cheerful smile, and is adorned in the gay embroidery of blooming 

 flowers. 



Malta being an island in the southern portion of the warm 

 temperate, or rather, subtropical zone, it is to be inferred will 

 produce fruits and flowers common to both the torrid and tem- 

 perate zones; and to a certain extent so it does. Several plants 

 of British growth thrive here, while some intertropical species 

 come to maturity. But in general its entire vegetation is pre- 

 cisely that of southern Europe. Here grow the Vine, Pomegra- 

 nate, Olive, Orange, Lemon, Lime, etc., in abundance, the Malta 

 Oranges being proverbial for their delicious flavour ; the Apple- 

 tree perfects its fruit, but is dry and insipid compared to those of 

 British growth. Plams, Apricots, etc., are of good quality ; To- 

 matoes, ]\Ielons, sweet and water, the latter containing abundance 

 of a clear, cool, and refreshing liquid, like to pure water, is much 

 relished by the Maltese. Enormous Pumpkins grow there, often 

 attaining the weight of 160 or 170 pounds. The Fig-tree is cul- 

 tivated to a great extent, generally in the same field with the 

 Vine ; the latter runs along the walls and dykes very much like 

 om" Bramble or Blackberry. Some straggling Date-palms are 

 scattered here and there over the country, but have most pro- 

 bably been introduced. Among the other vegetable products may 

 be reckoned Sainfoin, a valuable plant for theii' mules and cattle. 

 Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Potatoes, etc., are also abundant. The 

 cereals are mostly Barley, Indian-corn, and Millet. The culti- 

 vation of cotton is carried on to a considerable extent. Among 

 the other culinary vegetables may be reckoned Onions, of enor- 

 mous size and mild in flavour — twelve pounds' weight can be pur- 

 chased for one penny sterling ; in short, almost all the kitchen 

 vegetables of Britain can be, and are, reared with advantage to 

 the natives and British settlers. The Prickly Pear {Cactus Optin- 

 tia) is everywhere ; its fruit is much relished by the natives. I 

 have eaten it, and consider it excellent. In the months of Fe- 



