296 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



syriacus is a conspicuous shrub ; the purple colouring of its flowers 

 cannot, however, be admired. 



The uninviting appearance of the Public Garden is due to the over- 

 crowding of the trees and shrubs, and also to the absence of lawns. 

 The Bermuda Grass {Gynodon Dactylon), which makes excellent lawns 

 in Egypt, is not utilized for this purpose at Athens, although it occurs 

 as a weed. The summers are too hot for ryegrass or other English lawn 

 grasses. 



The Botanic Garden, Athens. 



The Botanic Garden (fig. 105) lies about fifteen minutes from the 

 centre of the town. It is divided into two parts — a collection of plants 

 used for teaching purposes, and a nursery of young trees. No un- 

 common species were noticed in the nursery. 



The part which is supposed to be systematically arranged is con- 

 fusing, as trees and herbaceous plants have been planted together, and 

 the former allowed to grow unchecked. It must, however, be admitted 

 that the Garden owes its interest to the trees and shrubs which it 

 contains. 



By far the most beautiful plant in flower last midsummer was 

 Solanum Rantonnetii (japonicum), an Argentine shrub three to five feet 

 high, with showy purplish flowers. 



August is certainly not a month in which to look for herbaceous 

 plants at Athens, but the common Soapwort [Saponaria officinalis) was 

 in full flower, notwithstanding the heat and dust. Convolvulus 

 mauritanicus formed mats of brilliant blue flowers. 



A large collection of bulbs, chiefly Crocuses, are grown in pots. 

 These would be interesting in the spring. Stronger growing bulbous 

 plants, such as the Saffron and Pancratium odoratissimum, are culti- 

 vated in the open. 



There are two avenues of Palms in the Botanic Garden — one of 

 Piloenix canariensis, and one of Trachy carpus excelsa. The effect of 

 the latter is spoilt by the trees on one side being taller than those on the 

 other. 



The undermentioned are among the most conspicuous trees : — 



Acacia linearis, 11 feet, very thickly hung with seed pods; Pliillyrea 

 media, 11 feet; Yucca aloifolia Draconis, 10 feet; Fontanesia pliil- 

 lyraeoides, a graceful specimen, with wide-spreading weeping branches; 

 and the Osage Orange (Madura aurantiaca), 15 feet, with abundance 

 of its curious, orange-like but inedible fruit. 



The Golden Olive [Olea chrysophyUa) is represented by a well- 

 fruited specimen about 16 feet high. This species resembles the common 

 Olive in habit, but the undersides of the leaves are dull yellow. Good 

 examples may be seen at Cairo, though fruiting specimens are rare there. 



The Pistachio Nut (Pisiacia vera) is well grown, and is quite orna- 

 mental during July and August, the branches being then laden with 

 rose-coloured fruit. Cellis ausiralis and C. Touniefortii, with horn- 

 beam-like foliage, arc also adraclive trees during the sunnner months. 



