6 
ALASSIO AND ITS FLORA 
cipal chain, the mountain called Fasce 
Grasse, which arriving at the sea, pro- 
jects a very little distance into it, and 
takes the name of Porto Salvo, dividing 
the main gulf into two unequal parts, of 
which the smaller, or southernmost, be- 
longs to Laigueglia, and the larger, which 
measures three and a half kilom., to Alassio 
the buildings of which extend for almost 
its entire length. It is said that Napoleon 
Bonaparte called it Yille Longue, and its 
geographical position has won for it with 
mariners the name of the Gulf of peace, 
because here the largest fleet could anchor 
in safety from all winds. 
Numerous small hills clad with groves 
of olive and pine, slope gently down to 
the sea, and many rivulets enriched with 
a great variety of plants even in winter, 
bear their limpid waters to the plains of 
the deep. 
Above the railway in the most shel- 
tered spots, rise here and there numerous 
small villas belonging chiefly to English 
families, who admiring this spot so pri- 
vileged by nature have bought the ground 
