ARGrOTTI BOTANICAL GARDENS AND THE FLORA OF MALTA. 577 



smaller flower, nearly white, with a little yellow and purple about it. It 

 is common in the forts of Valetta, and in some of the valleys. 



Arundo Dona.x. — This handsome Bamboo-like grass is indigenous, but 

 also cultivated. The inflorescence is often cut for halls and passages, and 

 is employed in conjunction with Pampas grass. The split stems are used 

 for making market baskets. 



Asphodelus ramosus. — This is very abundant all over the island 

 wherever rocks are exposed, so as to prevent cultivation. The stems grow 

 to three or four feet high, and have much-branching panicles of star-like 

 white flowers, each petal being streaked down the middle with brown. 



AurantiacecE. — Oranges, Lemons, and their kind being a staple com- 

 modity, the profusion of orange blossoms at certain seasons, one need 

 hardly say, does not fail to supply some for decorative purposes. 



Calendula maritima and C. fidgida. — The commonest species of this 

 genus is C. arvensis, which grows profusely by roadsides, but the flowers 

 are not larger than that of a Daisy ; those of the two mentioned are 

 much larger, but, as they are not so common, they are not much used. 



G. officinalis is more generally grown, and mostly has a somewhat 

 deeper orange tint than in England. 



( cratonia Siliqua. — The Carob, or St. John's Bread, is the only tree 

 of any abundance in Malta ; being much exposed, the trees grow low and 

 assume a scrubby form. The leaves are used for strewing the floors of 

 churches at the time of festas. 



Chrysanthemum coronarium. — This is most abundant about the ditches 

 of the forts of Valetta and elsewhere. In some inaccessible enclosures 

 it forms a perfect sheet of yellow, and is much gathered for sale. There 

 is a variety with about half the corolla white, going a pale rose on the 

 circumference. 



Cratcegus Azarolus. — Several trees of small size occur in the valleys ; 

 the foliage is tomentose, but the bunches of flowers are very like our 

 ' May ' ; the fruit is very large, and eaten by the peasants. Being rare, it is 

 seldom seen. I have gathered it in quantities from one valley. 



Diplotaxis erucoides. — This white crucifer is one of the most abun- 

 dant of plants, the slopes outside the forts being a sheet of white in 

 December. It is also very abundant in the fields. Bunches are occa- 

 sionally brought for decorative purposes in the winter. 



Erica peduncularis. — This is the only Heath in Malta, and is abun- 

 dant in the rocky parts. It varies in tint from pale pink to cerise. Men 

 and boys collect it in sacks, and bring it to Valetta, where it is sold in 

 the streets. 



Fedia Cornucopia. — This herb has bright crimson flowers ; it occurs 

 in waste places, barren rocky ground, and in fields. It is collected and 

 sold. 



Ferula communis. — This plant is common, and bears large decom- 

 posed leaves like Fennel (which also grows wild in many places), though 

 the ultimate divisions are not so fine ; the foliage is used for decorating 

 the "carrozze," or "cabs," during the carnival. 



Gladiolus segetum. — This species is very abundant as a "cornfield" 

 weed. Large quantities are sold. G. communis is also in the island, but 

 is less common. 



p 



