TREES AND GARDENS AT ATHENS. 



297 



The former produces the fruit known in Greece as Honeyberries, and 

 is supposed to be the Lotus described by Homer as so dehcate as to 

 make those who ate them (Lotophagi) forget their native country. The 

 Jujube tree {Zizyphus vulgaris) and the European Date Plum 

 (Diospyros Lotus) grow welL 



Other trees and shrubs noticed were : Pistacia Terebinthus, Celastrus 

 muUiflorus, Coriaria myrtifolia, Cordia Myxa (the berries are full of 

 viscid matter, and make good bird-lime), Rhamnus Alaternus, Koel- 

 reuteria paniculata, Opuntia hrasiliensis, 0. albicans, 0. Kleiniae, 

 0, monocantha, Bupleunim fruticosa, Ptelea trifoliata, P}ioti7iia glabra, 

 Laurus 7iobilis, Buxus sempervirens, Ulmus compesiris, &c., and 

 Phytolacca dioica, the Bella Sombra of Buenos Ayres, a tree remark- 

 able because of its thick stems ; it thrives where many other trees will 

 not grow. 



Climbing plants are mostly represented by Periploca graeca, Celas- 

 trus scandens, and the graceful Abobra viridiflora, with its dark-green, 

 much divided leaves. Bignonia Tweediana is also conspicuous, draping 

 several of the trees. 



George Maw, the monographer of the genus Crocus, visited the 

 Athens Botanic Garden in the 'seventies, and in the Transactions of the 

 Botanical Society of Edinburgh he gave a list of some of the plants then 

 in the Garden : Biota orientalis, Cupressus horizontalis, C. Tournefortii, 

 Crataegus japonica, Juniperus attica, Gleditschia triacanthos, G. ferox, 

 Anthyllis Barba-Jovis, Ebenus cretica, Photinia arbutifolia, P. serrulata, 

 Madura aurantiaca, Cocculus laurifolius, Rhus vinmialis, Uhnus 

 suberosa, U. excelsa, Melianthus minor, Olea chrysophylla, Solanum 

 auriculatum , Viburnum suspensum, and beds of Saffron (Crocus 

 sativus). 



Some of the plants mentioned by Maw have disappeared; others 

 still remain. For instance, the plants of Olea chrysophylla and Madura 

 aurantiaca existing to-day are the identical specimens noticed by him 

 over thirty years ago. 



One cannot help regretting that nothing has been done towards 

 making a speciality of certain plants adaptable to the climatic conditions. 

 What good collections of succulent and other xerophilous plants could 

 be formed at Athens ! 



Kephisia. 



Vegetation is much more luxuriant at Kephisia than at Athens, and 

 this is not surprising, as Kephisia lies at a considerable elevation above 

 sea-level. Communication with the capital by train is both easy and 

 rapid, and Kephisia has become a favourite excursion from Athens. 

 Kephisia was already a summer resort in Eoman times. Good avenues 

 of trees shade the roads. The climate and gardens remind one of 

 Ireland. Eoses are at their best early in the summer. Fruit trees and 

 all kinds of vegetables grow with the same ease as at home. Easp- 

 berries were noticed in full bearing. 



Kephisia is a good starting point for Tatoi, the King's summer 



