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of which give a delicious flavour to the honey of 

 Malta whilst the stalks are used as fuel. 



Dr. Adams says. "The physical aspect of the 

 Maltese islands in midsummer is by no means inviting. 

 Viewed from a commanding position, they present 

 an extremely sterile and desolate appearance which 

 is heightened by the interminable stone walls, rocky 

 ravines, bare plateaus, and plains without marsh or 

 stream ; for, excepting a few fig, vine, cactus, carob, 

 orange, pomegranate, and Persian lilac trees in 

 gardens in or about the towns and villages not a 

 blade of grass or a plant of any sort is there to 

 gladden the eye, or relieve the glare of a semi- 

 tropical sun. " 



But after the autumn rains Malta grows green as 

 if by miracle. In January, anemones, several vari- 

 eties of Fumaria, geraniums, the Hypericum JEgyptia- 

 ctim and numerous other plants are in blossom. The 

 Mediterranean heath Erica peduncularis is found in 

 the Wied Incita, and the borage, rosemary, various 

 euphorbias, and plants of the nettle tribe will repay 

 the toil of the botanist, not to mention the narcissus 

 and asphodel. 



In February the pheasant's eye, poppies, mallows, 

 and geraniums, vetches, chrysanthemums and varieties 

 the iris are in bloom. 



To quote Dr. Adams once more "As far as 

 verdure is concerned Malta may be said* to be in 

 its prime in February. It is then that the daisy 



VP 



