246 CHAPTER XXXIII. 



sort is to cut off the flower buds. The Ligustrum and 

 the Plane (Platanus) are a source of great discomfort 

 to residents on the Riviera. 



It is strange and hardly credible that the people 

 who gather the Orange blossoms are liable to be pros- 

 trated and even rendered insensible by the strength 

 of the perfume. The perfumes at Grasse are said 

 to have "an exasperating effect" on the nervous 

 system. 



I have perceived in some gardens a most agree- 

 able odour, which it was difficult to trace to any 

 particular shrub. I was told that it proceeded from 

 an Escallonia, perhaps E. rubra. The plants of this 

 genus are all more or less aromatic. In one of Mr. 

 Hudson's delightful Natural History books the 

 vinous perfume of certain (Enotheras is praised. 

 " (Eno " is of course " oinos " wine. 



About the scent of the Loquat (Eriobotrya, Fig. 

 89) flowers. H difference of taste exists. Persons whose 

 opinion is entitled to the highest respect liken it to 

 the smell of drains ! Others delight in it. For my 

 part I like these trees, and planted a good many of 

 them in the garden of the last house which I occupied. 

 The perfume reminds me of the British hawthorn. 

 The French name is " Bibassier," or " Neflier du 

 Japon." This handsome evergreen is a native of 

 China and Japan. It is a favourite with Indian 

 gardeners. The Loquat comes up freely from the 

 seeds that are thrown away when the fruit is eaten ; 

 it stands unmerciful pruning, and, if planted as a 

 hedge, can be made to form a perfect wall of verdure. 

 Often of its own accord the tree will take the shape 

 of an umbrella, and give an admirable shade. The 



