44 LA MORTOLA. 



ively united in this narrow space as in the scene of a 

 tlieatre ! 



Tliis ravine is one of the warmest spots on this 

 particularly sheltered part of the Riviera. Surrounded 

 and protected b^• high mountains, it lies open to none 

 but the south wind. Violets bloom a.k early as December 

 in the gulh', and swallows never lea\'e it. Lizards dela\' 

 their winter sleep, and food is alwa^'s plentiful, for 

 insects buzz through the air, and the spider spreads her 

 web to catch these even in winter. 



CHAPTER VT. 



Xo visitor to Bordighera or Mentone should omit 

 to make an excursion to La Mortola, the garden of Sir 

 Thomas Hanbury. The public are admitted on Mondays 

 and Friday's on pa\ment of one Iranc. This money 

 helps to support the Hospital of V^entimiglia. Those 

 wishing to stud}' in the garden will recei^'e permission 

 from the owner to visit it at any time. The beautiful 

 Palazzo still standing in the grounds takes its name from 

 the former owners, the Orengo famih' of Ventimiglia. 

 When Sir Thomas Hanbur-^- acquired this estate in liS66 

 there was a scanty Olive gro\'e on it. With the aid of 

 experienced and skilful gardeners he has converted it 

 into the lair}'- like spot which now charms the ^'isitor. 

 Tlie late xVIr. I^aniel Hanbury, F. R. S., F. L. S., etc., 

 brother of the owner, assisted with his scientific 

 knowledge in la-^'ing tlie foundation of this vast collection 

 of plants. The garden covers an area of about 40 hectares. 

 It slopes up stccph' from the sea to a height of 300 feet. 



