THE SUMMER DROUGHT. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



IN many of the countries bordering on the Mediter- 

 ranean little or no rain falls during the Summer. 

 In Xice this dry period lasts about four months, 

 from the first week in June to near the end of 

 September. But it may be of much longer duration. 

 This applies only to the coast region, for the valleys 

 of the Maritime Alps are watered all through the 

 Summer by refreshing thunder-showers. 



In Naples the rainless months are three : June, 

 July, and August ; in Malta, Greece, and Sicily, four 

 or five ; in Palestine, seven ; and in Egypt as many as 

 eight. 



The vegetation of the Riviera has little to fear 

 from severe cold in the Winter, but those plants only 

 which are specially adapted can successfully resist 

 the Summer drought. In the chapter on Lizards, I 

 have mentioned some shrubs which actually lose 

 their leaves during this long dry period, giving up 

 the struggle as it were, and reviving when watered 

 by the Autumn rains. And in the chapter on 

 Succulent Plants I have shown how well fitted are 

 these vegetable reservoirs to survive the thirsty 

 ordeal. 



The Mediterranean flora, and that of the Riviera 

 in particular, has other methods. The succulent 

 plants just mentioned start with a good supply of 



