24 



be found, together with their times of flowering, 

 and Dr. Gulia in his Analytical Flora estimates the 

 Maltese plants to be not less than 1000 in number. 



The following remarks by the last named able 

 naturalist will be found useful by the botanist in 

 his rural excursions. 



" Let us ascend into the higher valleys which 

 formerly when submerged gave shelter to marine 

 animals. Here we shall meet with the fragrant 

 narcissus and the modest violet, which take the place 

 of the seaweeds which formerly covered this district." 



"Let us penetrate into Wied Kirda, on the stately 

 sides of which the Coronilla valentina blossoms in 

 March." Its perfume which resembles that of the jon- 

 quil is a good reason for its cultivation within doors. 

 Some authors say that it exhales perfume by 

 night, but it is certain that it is also fragrant 

 during the day. Very beautiful is the yellow tulip 

 Tulipa sylvestris which grows beneath the olive, and 

 on the edges cf the fields opposite to the picturesque 

 Chapel of Sant. Antonio. It was first met with 

 here by Dr. Agostino Naudi, and grows nowhere 

 else in Malta or Gozo." 



" The ivyclad walls of the fields urge the botanist 

 to continue his researches, which will be repaid by 

 Calendula sicula with its large flowers and by 

 many other species. One of the best places for a 

 botanical excursion is the Wied Babu, between 

 Crendi and Zarrico, where, at various seasons, a 



