JUNE 101 



regard. It has been remarked of them 

 that they are beautiful, from the de- 

 cision of character they display. Even from 

 seed, they know how?they intend to grow, 

 and they complete their plan. There is 

 the smooth firm stem, straight as a line, in 

 colour emerald washed with amethyst, and 

 the narrow leaves, exactly matched in size, 

 placed with perfect symmetry up the stem 

 till they reach the four-branched seed- 

 holders, which proceed like a branching 

 capital from the top of the green tall 

 pillar. The seed-holders on the four 

 branches support ileaves of another shape in 

 ordered pairs, and each pair guards a 

 poisonous-looking flower or seed. From 

 first to last there is not a shade of inde- 

 cision in the mind of any one of these three 

 tall euphorbias. (Caper spurge). 



The 'Roman Walk' in the morning, 

 when shadows fall, is almost picturesque. 

 There are some large^ clumps of Sysirin- 

 chium striatum in profuse bloom ; the 

 flower spikes and iris-like leaves are most 

 1 showy,' contrasting well with the rocks 

 and rounded masses of leaf and flower near 



