196 Sketch of the Botany, fyc., 



as I have already mentioned, ripens its fruit : Metrosideros 

 alba, Schlnus Molle, Ficus elastica, and Anona triloba, 

 which was sown by M. Rautonnet in 1829 ; it is now 9 in. in 

 circumference, 15 ft. high, and bears eatable fruit. The dif- 

 ferent species of Eucalyptus, which flower so freely in the 

 Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, exposed to the rigour of the 

 climate of Scotland, never attain above a certain size in the 

 gardens at Hyeres, owing, as it would appear, to the winds 

 from the north-east, which destroy the branches that are of 

 a sufficient height to be exposed to their influence. After 

 having merely enumerated the different plants cultivated at 

 Hyeres, I leave it to the imagination of the botanist or horti- 

 culturist to form to himself a picture of this little Para- 

 dise. 



At a distance of about eight miles from the mainland, are 

 situated the Islands of Hyeres : they are three in number, 

 bearing the names of Porquerolles, Portecroz, and He du 

 Levant. 



These islands were called Stcechades by the ancients ; which 

 name is supposed to be derived from the Lavandula Stce^chas, 

 which grows abundantly upon their almost naked surface. 

 They are supposed by many authors to represent the Island 

 of Calypso, immortalised by Homer ; but, if this supposition 

 be true, they have most lamentably degenerated since the time 

 in which that venerable poet lived. They have also received 

 the name of the Golden Islands; but this title was given, not 

 on account of their fertility, but from the micaceous schist 

 which composes the greater part of Porquerolles, reflecting 

 the colour of that precious metal. 



Porquerolles is the only island that we had an opportunity 

 of visiting. It is the largest of the three, and is situated at 

 the distance of 1300 toises from the peninsula of Giens. It is 

 formed principally of an argillaceous schist, intersected with 

 long veins of amorphous quartz. The most extreme aridity 

 pervades every part of the island. The almost total want of 

 water will prove an eternal bar to its cultivation : not the 

 smallest stream traverses the immense masses of pine trees 

 and tree heath, which brave the scorching heat and dryness 

 that prevail during the continuance of the summer months. 

 A battery that we visited at the eastern extremity of the island, 

 and situated at a distance of nearly six miles from the village, 

 is entirely deprived of this necessary of life; consequently, a 

 voyage of twelve miles must be made for every cistern of fresh 

 water that is consumed ; the inhabitants endeavour, as far as 

 possible, to supply its place with goats' milk and wine. The 

 natives of Porquerolles (which is the only inhabited island) 



