in the central parts of the Islands. Commercial inter- 

 course with Sicily, Italy and Spain was greatly interfered 

 with by these pirates and was often stopped altogether 

 for long periods. The extensive plantations of olive 

 trees, vines etc. were gradually destroyed, and the rich 

 alluvial and agricultural soils of Burmarrad, Puales, 

 Chain Tuffieha, Gneina and Marsa were neglected 

 and became hotbeds of malarial fevers which further 

 decimated the population, and were consequently avoided 

 by the farmer, as dangerous, for a long period afterwards. 



However, even then extensive plantations of olive- 

 trees, fig-trees, vines and almonds, and also of oranges 

 and lemons were yet in existence in many parts of 

 the Island, such as at Sceb-ir-ras and Xaghret Neuia 

 (the promontory now occupied by Valletta and Floriana), 

 the Marsa (which like Xaghret Neuia belonged to the 

 ancient Maltese family of Neua or Nava, which on 

 the coming of the Order of St. John left the Island 

 and became established at Catania), at Zeitun and 

 Zabbar, at Kormi, at Lia, Balzan and Attard, at Zebbug 

 and Siggieui, at Chain Mula, Uardia and Selmun, and 

 at the head of the various valleys where spring water 

 was available, and although in reduced circumstances, 

 the cultivation of the land was on a sufficiently extensive 

 scale to support the population. 



Moreover, it is probable that at that time there were 

 still considerable remnants of the woods and small forests 

 with which both Islands must have abounded in ancient 

 days. The holly-oak or evergreen oak (Quercus Ilex L.) 

 must have been common all over the Island and probably 

 formed a considerable proportion of the holy groves 

 at Imtarfa and Rabat. Remnants of such groves or 

 woods of the evergreen oak (Maltese baltuta) still exist 

 on a hill near Boschetto, at Died Hazrun near " ta 

 Baldu ", at Uardia, at Ballut ta Chain Tuffieha and at 

 Imgiebah near Selmun, the gigantic evergreen oaks 

 at Uardia and at Imgiebah being particularly beautiful 



