352 



WILD SPAIN. 



this is not England, and as, after all, the bottom is sound 

 and moderately level, if one can keep the cartridges dry, 

 the sun -will soon dry the rest. 



The density of the scrub varies also : sometimes for a 

 short distance one has to push through thickets where 

 every step is a struggle with hard dried cistus stems, and 

 where broken ground, ravines and thorny jungle make 

 perspiration flow, and ill conduce to taking those smart 

 chances that offer overhead at inopportune moments. 



To a northerner it is hard to believe that it is mid- 

 winter while almost every tree remains leaf-clad, and the 

 brushwood all green and flower-spangled. Arbutus, rose- 

 mary and tree-heath (Erica arborea) are already in bloom ; 

 while bees buzz in the shoulder-high heather, and suck 

 honey from its tricoloured blossoms — pink, purple and 

 violet. Strange flies and winged creatures of many sorts 

 and sizes, from gnat and midge to savage dragon-flies, 

 rustle and drone in one's ear, or poise on iridescent wing 

 in the sunlight, and the hateful hiss of the mosquito 

 mingles with the insect-melody. Over each open flower of 

 rock-rose or cistus hovers the humming-bird hawk-moth, 

 with here and there one of the larger sphinxes (S. convol- 

 vuli), each with his long proboscis inserted deep in the 

 tender calix. Not even the butterflies are entirely absent. 

 We have noticed several gorgeous species at Christmas- 

 time, including the painted lady and red admiral, the 

 southern wood-argus, Bath white and clouded yellow, with 

 Lyctena telicanus, Thais potyxena, Megara, and many more. 

 On the warm sand bask pretty green and spotted lizards, 

 apparently asleep, in the sunshine, but all alert to dart off 

 on slightest alarm, disappearing like a thought in some 

 crevice among the roots of the cistus.* 



Gradually, as the line approaches the flat shores of the 

 marisma, the " driving " shots increase in number and 



* It may be appropriate here to add that the curious chainseleon 

 which is found nowhere else in Europe, is abundant in this district. 

 It is not, however, seen in mid-winter. Another remarkable reptile 

 is the lobe-footed gecko (Platydactylus muralis), which swarms about 

 rocks and old walls. Both the reptiles -and insects of Spain would 

 probably richly repay further research. 



