3-84 VIA BERIGO. 



such a \ariet\' of luxuriant shrubs overhung;' the patli tliat it 

 seemed as thoufrh a magic cornucopiae had scattered its 

 contents o\'er tlie liillside. Opuntias, Aloes, Agaves and 

 other succulent plants grew in wild luxuriance and afforded 

 a striking proof of nature's exuberant fcrtilit^' — a rich 

 variet\- of subjects for the artist, moregorgebus than an\-thing 

 which the imagination could invent. Over this tropical scene 

 an Olive tree pensiveh' bows its branches: it was so inter- 

 wo\en b\ cliinhing roses as to look like a thick bower. 

 Close b\- a dark C\'press raised its spire, and this too 

 was cro\\-ned with garlands of roses. Ever\-where A'ellow 

 and white Bankslas hang trailing from the walls. There 

 are teaming Pelargoniums and tall Oleanders lining the 

 border of the path. And above our heads Palms trees, 

 draped with lv\, raise hpaven\\-ards tlieir curving fronds. 



I now reached the \^ia Herigo and followed it in 

 a wcstcrh" direction to the spot where it turns to the 

 mountains. I fere the fertile valleys ot della Foce and 

 San Bernardo come into view. Higher up the liill slopes 

 were rich in olive trees and above these, picturesqueh' 

 situated on the ridge of Cap Nero, was the ancient gre\' 

 viOage of Coldirodi, flanked to the north b^• liuge moun- 

 tain masses. 



[ turned, and again followed the windings of the \'ia 

 Herigo between Villas and luxuriant gardens. Then I struck 

 into the \^ia Borpo which encircles the \'al San Romolo in 

 a wide loop. Down in the Romolo \'alle\- all the fruit 

 trees were in full bloom, \A-hite, pink and pearl culourei.1. 

 The f,)range and Lemon trees displa\ed their gcilden 

 fruit, while the Olive trees shone with black berries. The 



