THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS. 217 



Among exotic Borages the shrubby Echiums will 

 surprise and delight the English botanist. 



The most remarkable garden shrub of the 

 Solanum family is the Trumpet Tree (Datura arborea) 

 with great white pendulous blossoms. It is not per- 

 fectly hardy. Paulowma would be more missed from 

 the Riviera gardens than any other species of the 

 Figwort (Scrophulana) order. A flowering tree is in 

 some degree the property of the public. The owner 

 cannot keep it entirely to himself ; however high the 

 wall, we catch a glimpse of it. Not very many plants 

 of this family are cultivated here, in the south of 

 Europe. I calculate that, even including the shrubby 

 Veronicas, not more than one per cent, of the garden 

 plants belongs to the Scrophs. Our Northern Fox- 

 glove (Digitalis purpurea) is replaced by D. lutea, a 

 much less ornamental plant, with small yellowish 

 flowers. Another flowering tree, the Jacaranda 

 (Fig. 80), may represent the Bignonias. Most people, 

 if they see only the leaf, will take it for that of an 

 Acacia. The tongue-shaped fruit is curious. 



Your favourite Labiate ? The question is not 

 easy to answer, for this is the home and focus of the 

 family, and they abound. Nevertheless, I give the 

 preference to a British plant, for there are few more 

 graceful wild flowers than Meiiitis. It flourishes a 

 few miles inland in cool and shady spots, and is partial 

 to hazel copses. I think that I have found it as near 

 the coast as the ruins of St. Martin, about a quarter 

 of an hour's walk above the town of Vence. This is, by 

 the way, an excellent place for a picnic. I call 

 Melittis a British plant because it grows in certain 

 localities in the south and south-west of England : 



