ARGOTTI BOTANICAL GARDENS AND THE FLORA OF MALTA. 567 



The only plant peculiar to Malta is Centaurea crassifolia. Fine 

 specimens are growing in the Botanic Gardens, for one of which I had to 

 thank Dr. Debono, and it is now in the Botanic Gardens, Cambridge. 



Several of the native Orchids are grown in the gardens, among which 

 are nine species of Ophrys, seven of Orchis, three Serapice, and Spiran- 

 thes autumnal is. The " Bee " Ophrys, curiously, only grows in wet grass 

 by a rivulet, in one spot only, just as Baimncidus ophioglossifolius does ; 

 it formerly grew, but is now extinct, in Jersey. 



A curious crucifer, Enarthrocarpus pterocarpus, introduced itself 

 about twenty-five years ago from Northern Africa. 



The water- tank, very limited in dimensions, contains a few aquatics, 

 while Bamboos and Arundo Donax, a native, form clumps around it. 



Numerous plants are grown for their flowers only, and need not be 

 enumerated, as the Botanical Gardens have to be mainly self-supporting. 



The view (fig. 161) is taken from the corner near the entrance and from 

 the outside. The dome-shaped structure is one of the numerous churches. 

 It is dedicated to the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, called 

 " Sarria." The Gothic building is the Wesleyan church. The whole 

 stands within the inner and outer fortifications, called " Floriana." The 

 cathedral of the ancient capital, Citta Vecchia, is just visible on the 

 horizon, on the extreme right of the view. 



It is from those distant hills that water is brought by a closed aque 

 duct to Valetta. The Floriana water-tower is on the left of the view. 



Object of the Gardens. — Hitherto the Botanical Garden was only 

 used to furnish living specimens and materials to the Professor of Botany 

 for his lectures and demonstrations. It now includes within its object 

 the following : — 



1. Practical teaching of botany to students in the Faculty of Litera- 

 ture and Science, and of medical botany to students in the Faculty of 

 Medicine and Pharmacy. 



2. The formation of collections of plants, classified according to their 

 natural affinities. 



3. The systematic introduction of new plants to suit the soil and 

 climate of the Maltese islands. 



4. The distribution, by sale or exchange, of plants, seeds, bulbs, &c. 



5. The spread of information, by correspondence or otherwise, on 

 various branches of botany, including economic botany and agriculture. 



6. The training of apprentices in the art of gardening. 



7. The taking of earth temperatures at various depths. 



8. The formation of a Herbarium and Botanical Library. 



Financial Condition of the Gardens. — The staff of the Botanical 

 Gardens includes : the Director, who is ex -officio Professor of Natural 

 History, Public Health and Hygiene, and Medical Jurisprudence at the 

 University, and has to lecture on medical botany in the course of phar- 

 macy and medical jurisprudence in the Faculty of Law. Salary £120, 

 and £20 personal, after ten years' service. There is no salary in connection 

 with the Botanical Gardens. 



The Keeper, who acts also as clerk, has a salary of £36 a year, with 

 free lodgings. 



