•2840 The Zoologist — November, 1871. 



The characteristic feature of the islands is undoubtedly the 

 universal growth of Mesenibryautheniura, which contributes to 

 give them a tropical appearance. There are numerous varieties, 

 differing in size, as vpell as in the colour of the blossoms, which are 

 orange, crimson, lilac, &c. ; but by far the most abundant sort is a 

 large species, with long succulent leaves, pale straw-coloured 

 blossoms, nearly the size of the palm of one's hand, and red seed- 

 vessels: it covers nearly every garden-wall, which it completely 

 conceals with its festoons of luxuriant foliage, and often strays on 

 to the waste ground beyond, and is also found on sand-hills above 

 the beach : it grows very rapidly, is cut periodically, as hedges 

 are lopped with us, and is popularly known as " the ice-plant," or 

 "the ice," when cuttings are given to visitors. Fuchsias, tree 

 veronicas, a species of myrtle with handsome foliage, aloes, scarlet 

 and pink geraniums, enliven the gardens in many places, and 

 often form complete bushes and even hedges. There are also 

 numerous tamarisks and elms, the former fine, the latter stunted 

 and cut by the winds. The weather, though never very cold, is 

 notwithstanding never very hot here, the mean temperature varying 

 from 55° in summer to 45° in winter. 



While on the subject of plants, I must not omit to notice the 

 gardens at Trescoe Abbey, the residence of the Lord Proprietor : 

 they well repay a visit, and most tourists over here for a day or 

 two make a point of inspecting them, as they are kindly opened to 

 the public. In addition to the different varieties of Mesembry- 

 anlhemum, spreading over rocks on undulating ground, may be 

 noticed the blue gum-tree of Australia, rows of Dracaena, the Yucca 

 gloriosa, the cabbage palm, a variety of aloes (two or three con- 

 spicuous from their tall spikes of flowers), the Guernsey lily, a 

 particularly pretty pink Belladonna, and the yellow lily of Palestine. 

 Pampas-grass, foreign reeds and canes are planted here and there 

 in the avenue and on an islet in the large fresh-water pond, and a 

 hedge-like row of fuchsias and hydrangeas lines the approach by 

 the same carriage-drive to the pleasure-grounds. The arches of 

 the old Abbey ruins, clothed with a luxuriant growth of evergreen 

 geranium, are composed of sandstone imported from Normandy. 

 A croquet-lawn has recently been made, at one end of which a 

 shed is supported by the figure-heads of vessels wrecked on 

 the coast, and an ostrich or two may be seen stalking about the 

 premises. 



