80 



the pollen, and convey it from one fig to the other. 



The oranges of Malta which are largely ex- 

 ported are justly renowned. They are in season 

 from November till April, and of the ten varie- 

 ties here cultivated, the egg, blood, and mandarin 

 are the most highly esteemed. The latter is a fa- 

 vourite with the Mandarins of the Celestial Empire; 

 hence its name. Oranges, lemons, and other fruits 

 to the amount of 100 tons are annually exported. 

 Two specimens of each variety of the orange, whe- 

 ther imported or native, are carefully tended in 

 the Botanic Garden, and cuttings may be had on 

 application. Grapes are cheap. They speedily become 

 watery, perhaps sowing to unskilful cultivation, with 

 the exception of the delicious Pine-Apple and Fin- 

 ger varieties, which thrive well at St. Antonio. 



During the government of Sir H. C. Ponsonby, 

 the tobacco plant was successfully introduced, but an 

 attempt to naturalize the cochineal insect proved a fail- 

 ure, for want probably of the proper species of Opun- 

 tia for the support of the insects. Many mulberry 

 trees were destroyed some years ago. Silk of excel- 

 lent quality can be readily produced, but financial re- 

 sults proving unsatisfactory, tbe rearing of silk-worms 

 as an industrial occupation has been abandoned. 



The best thanks of the auther are justly due to Dr. Gavino 

 Gulia, Dr. Cousin, Dr. Vassailo, Sig. G-. A. Pulis, and others 

 who have most kindly given him much valuable assistance. 



