220 CHAPTER XXIX. 



Colmiane above St. Martin Vesubia, where we so often 

 lingered to admire it. I mean that bit of sunset on a 

 stalk, the Nigritella. 



The most remarkable Iris is /. tuberosa (ffermo- 

 dactylus] : the flower is almost black. Early in March 

 it is sold in the Nice market. The peasants say that 

 they bring it from the Var, bat they are either unable 

 or unwilling to give the exact locality. This rare 

 plant has been found in the Magnan Valley, but I 

 doubt if it exists there now. There is a third locality 

 near Grasse, which has lately been searched in vain. 

 Crocus rersicolor may be found on the Mt. Vinaigrier 

 towards the end of January. 



I will not presume to say which Narcissus is the 

 most beautiful. The yellow and white N. Tazzetta 

 abounds in the low-lying meadows all along the coast. 

 .iV. poeticus is so plentiful at Levens, and on the peaty 

 grassland above Grasse, that it forms white patches 

 when in bloom which may be seen from afar. 

 Fortunately for this latter plant, it has but a small 

 commercial value, so it is not removed in quantities 

 by the gardeners and florists. It does not flower 

 early enough in the Spring to command a good sale ; 

 this is the reason why it escapes persecution. The 

 Poeticus is said to avoid a calcareous soil. Two 

 beautiful species, N. aureus and N. papyraceiis (niveus), 

 are found quite close to Nice, but, as they are rare, I 

 will only add that they do not grow due south of the 

 town. 



The Kiviera boasts twelve or fourteen species of 

 Narcissus, including one which is called after Cavaliere 

 F. Panizzi, a botanist of San Eemo. 



Pancratium is praised by those who have seen 



