LILLE. 33? 



extensively cultivated in Flanders, continued to diversity the 

 surface. Both the colzat (Brassica oleracea campestris), 

 and the rape or rabette (Brassica Napus), seem to be raised, 

 not only for the sake of the oily seeds, but also for the 

 green leaves to be used as fodder. Myagrum sativum is 

 sparingly cultivated, under the name of Cameline, likewise 

 for the sake of the oil which may be expressed from its 

 seeds. This plant often appears spontaneously in flax-fields 

 in Scotland ; but neither it nor colzat has ever been an ob- 

 ject of cultivation there. 



Lille. 



By the time we reached Lille the sky had cleared up ; 

 and we enjoyed a charming afternoon for viewing the town 

 and its environs. In the appearance of the houses and of 

 the people, we here perceived a difference nearly as striking 

 as that which we had noticed in the crops : now every thing 

 was French. The houses are all of stone ; and, in then- 

 general aspect, reminded us of those Jn the former Picardy 

 Place of Edinburgh, built for the French refugees who 

 came to Scotland after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, 

 and who, it appears probable, had themselves suggested 

 the plan of the buildings. 



The Botanic Garden having been recommended to our 

 notice, we went thither with raised expectations : But they 

 were disappointed : for we found that it had been esta- 

 blished merely as an appendage to the central school. It 

 is of small dimensions, and had never acquired any emi- 

 nence. At present it is nearly in a ruinous state ; neither 

 the town nor the Government seeming to take any due in- 

 terest in its welfare. The plants are, or rather had been, 



Y 



