290 
One of these was Cycas revoluta, the leaves ca a were scorched. 
This is one of the commonest, in fact the only co n species of cycad 
which we saw, and very few were cg The following tables, ¢ copied 
from Dr. Bennetts book * Winter and Spring on-the Shores of the 
* Mediterranean," will afford some idea of what the summer heat is like 
- in some of the stations of the Riviera :— 
Mean "Temperature of Seasons. 
Winter. Spring. Summer. Autumn. 
Mentone - - - 49°5 60° 73° 55'6 
Toulon - - - 43°30 53°70 74°30 59° 
Genoa - - - 44°57 58°60 75°03 62°94 
Nice 47°82 56°23 72°26 1°63 
Ceylon (Hill districts) 69:30 70°78 69°54 71°29 
Ds 60°60 62°36 69°56 67°30 
Port Jackson (X. S.W. ) 54°62 63°45 70°93 64°03 
38°43 50°40 64°47 52°30 
* For comparison. 
In attempting to account for the pipa eee on the aga 
o ma w o been b 
sunshine experienced there must be considered as having a 
great deni to do with it. plant which makes its growth under such 
favourable conditions is better able to withstand the trials of a low 
temperature than one which has been less favoured. This is a well-known 
grown in a low temperature several years before it becomes severely 
Ki although exposure to a degree or two of frost would probabty 
ill 
The natural soil of most of the gardens visited is very porous, n 
formed of crumbled limestone and sandstone. hen wet, it is soft a 
clay-like, but it soon drys and is then not unlike what garden kho 
as a mixture of light loam and sand. It is considered poor garden soil, | 
but by copious and frequent supplies of rich manure whatever eficit 
the soil may have is abundantly made up. In all the best gardens the 
use of manure is what in England would be considered excessive. 
o 
which is ever wasted. I was told that a cartload of this was not 
considered too much as an annual supply for a large palm 
gardens as a re 
owners joi at that time elsewhere. This enables the gardeners to 
rm the. rough work, such as ma tins trenching, &c., with 
= thoroughness and ease Watering is at this time a heavy task. The 
ee re mostly on ‘steep slopes or Mod: consequently the water 
oe ee a — : that unless ro soil is frequently drenched the 
T er. Thi circumstance must favour " those 
M which a me impatient of * Vinci or stagnation at the root. Of 
eui e n quier on the Riviera eui not thrive t ec 
