APPENDIX. 209 



means of even cultivating turf. These delightful retreats 

 are occupied by the officers of the garrison and their fami- 

 lies : every moment I met the latter either riding, or in 

 elegant equipages, going to the races on the neutral-ground. 

 This western side of the rock is the only one by which it 

 would be possible to attack the fortress ;* but the fleet that 

 should attempt such a thing would have very little chance 

 of success, on account of the batteries which defend the 

 coast, and the facility with which an united force could be 

 brought to the point attacked. After half-an-hour's walk 

 of gradual ascent, I arrived at the level space called 

 Europa-point, which terminates the southern part of the 

 peninsula. This point is very important ; it is defended 

 by several works. Here are also built large barracks,f for 

 which a better situation could not have been selected, the 

 air being so pure ; but the want of spring-water is here 

 much felt, as indeed it is all over the rock. From this 

 point you see the African coast very distinctly, which is 

 only four or five leagues off : the point of land on which 

 the Spanish town of Ceuta is built is also easily distin- 

 guished. I intended returning by the eastern side of the 

 rock, but the natural declivities prevented it ; besides, all 

 the facilities by which you might otherwise have passed 

 have been removed. The only interesting plant I gathered 

 in this walk was the Prasium majus, which grows in great 

 abundance on the rock at Europa-point. Of the rest of 

 the natural vegetation of Gibraltar I could not form an 

 idea, as you meet with cultivated grounds only, or private 

 properties enclosed by walls. The letters of introduction 

 that I brought, procured me a reception in Gibraltar, the 

 cordiality and hospitality of which I shall always remem- 



* And this has also been lately strengthened by extensive fortifi- 

 cations. Trans. 



f Officers' quarters, mess-room, &c. Trans. 



P 



