234 



Remarks on the most Important Plant-Societies of the Island. 



the shadow of the two latter trees, is chiefly mesophile, with affinities to the vegetation of weeds which 

 is found in cultivated fields and in ruderate places; it is natural therefore that we should treat of it here. 

 The flora of vine-yards, on the contrary, according to its composition is decidedly xerophile, and therefore 

 it will be treated of in another place. 



The olive-tree as well as the carob tree as a rule are planted rather openly, with a comparatively 

 great space between each tree. They are to be found in the lower parts of the island in the neighbourhood 

 of most villages, occurring in greatest number in the district of Limassol. They are not generally cultivated 

 in gardens properly spoken, but ai'e to be found spread over the fields in single copies. In addition to 



Fig-. 78. Old Olive-Trees near Kophino. 



the cultivated trees, they ai'e also to be found in Cyprus demi-savage, and at least one of the two. the 

 carob tree, really wild. 



Although chiefly occurring in places of a smaller height the olive-tree near some villages grows 

 up to a height of 1100 or 1200 m. above the level of the sea.') It can grow even in the driest places; 

 it thrives best, however, in places where the ground is a little moist: in the neighbourhood of fountains or 

 artificial waterspouts. It is a well-known fact that the olive tree can reach a very old age; according 

 to Tu. Fischer examples are known of trees that were 1000 years old.^) In Cyprus many old copies 

 are to be seen; how old they may be, I dare not judge of. Trunks with a girth of 4 or 5 m. in breast- 

 height are not rare; in the neighbourhood of the village Kophino in the district of Larnaka I measured 



') Ungee n. KoTSCHY, Die Insel Oypern, p. 4.53. 



^) Theobald Fischer, Uer Uelbaum, p. 31. Gotha 1904. 



