1 6 LA MORTOLA. 



even the nettles, in its stiff hairs and glands, which secrete an 

 acrid fluid. Further adornment is given to the Topia by the 

 bell-flowers of the Peruvian Polemoniaceae, Cantua dependens, and 

 C. penduliflora, by Celastrus stylosa, Ipomea Learii, Lonicera 

 Ledebourii y many kinds of Passiflora, Quisqualis Indica (Com- 

 bretacese), a plant whose seeds are well known in India for their 

 quality as a vermifuge. A chemical investigation would be well 

 worth making. 



The rose-covered entrance to the Topia stands close to the 

 Palazzo, before which is an open space 193 feet above the sea- 

 level, from whence a charming view above the rich foliage of the 

 garden is enjoyed of the villages of Ciotti and Mortola with their 

 picturesque churches ; and of the olive and pine (Pinus halepensis) 

 covered heights of Belinda 1837 feet high, from which the 

 water, after heavy rains, rushes down the wild gorge close beside 

 the Palazzo into the bay on the east side of the Punta della 

 Mortola. The modest old Palazzo of the Orengo family has 

 been gradually added to by the present proprietor. The tower 

 has been raised, a wing on either side of the house has been built, 

 and an elegant white marble terrace on the south front. From 

 the outside the building presents a most pleasing appearance ; 

 from whichever side the house is viewed a distinctly new im- 

 pression of it is gained, a diversity which accords well with the 

 wonderful variety of views obtainable from the Palazzo. 1 Over the 

 arch of the entrance -porch terra -cotta medallions by Tin worth of 



1 The visit of Queen Victoria in 1882 is commemorated on a marble slab let into 

 the wall over the glass door leading from the salon into the garden : it bears the follow- 

 ing inscription : 



HAG IN AULA SEDEBAT 



VICTORIA 



REGINA NOSTRA SERENISSIMA 



NOBISCUM URBANITATE REGALI COLLOQUEBATUR 



MAGNAQUE CUM ADMIRATIONE CIRCUMSPECTIBUS OMNIBUS 



GLORIAM UNA VOCE INCESSABILI ENARRANTIBUS 



DOMINI DEI CREATORIS 



PROSPECTUM PULCHERRIMUM 



MANU SUA PROPRIA DELINEAVIT 



XXV DIE MENSIS MARTII 



MDCCCLXXXII 



There have been many other royal and distinguished visitors, as, for instance, the Duke 

 and Duchess of Connaught, the late Duke of Albany, the Princess Beatrice, the ex- 

 Empress Eugenie, the King and Queen of Saxony, Prince Ernest of Saxe-Coburg, the 

 young Prince of Naples, H. E. Kuo Sung Tao, the first Chinese Minister accredited to 

 England and France. The Chinese character "/*<?," meaning happiness, written by 

 this last-named dignitary, is to be seen on the arch at the entrance to the garden. 



