NEIGHBOURHOOD OF GIBRALTAR. 179 



flower when all other vegetation is dried up ; at dis- 

 tant intervals are found a few specimens of Poly- 

 gonum maritimum, Ononis variegata, Paronychia 

 cymosa, De C., Juncus acutus, J. bufonius, J. mari- 

 timus, Medicago marina, and the beautiful Eryngium 

 ilicifolium ; and less frequently the Matthiola sinuata, 

 and Schcenus mucronatus. Beyond the large stream, 

 about a mile and a quarter from the Spanish line, 

 is an extensive plain, called the Spanish race-course, 

 the property of Messrs. Francia, merchants in Gib- 

 raltar. It appears that at a remote period this part 

 was extensively cultivated, and perhaps there was 

 once abundance of underwood. The encampment of 

 the combined forces during the siege of Gibraltar has 

 removed all traces of vineyards and olive plantations 

 which are said at one time to have also existed here ; 

 but it is to be hoped that the present owners of the 

 ground will appropriate it to a better use than for 

 the grazing of cattle. The botanist will not perhaps 

 regret the continuance of its present uncultivated 

 state, for the number of interesting plants found in 

 this locality is very considerable. Early in autumn 

 the ground is nearly covered with the graceful Leu- 

 cojum tricophyllum. This is succeeded by a large 

 riety of the Ornithogalum umbellatum (O. boetica, 

 Boiss.) On the left of the road leading to St. Roque 

 are found large beds of the Scilla vernalis and Orni- 

 thogalum unifolium. The O. narbonense is in flower 

 later in summer, but not found in so great abundance 

 as the two other species. Lobelia urens is found 

 near the hedges in great profusion. The abun- 



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