VI 
ALASSIO AND ITS FLORA 
most English towns notwitli standing" the 
fact that so many invalids come here al- 
ready enfeebled by mortal distempers. 
I trust that my fellow Alassians will 
be gratified to possess what I may at least 
call an index of the plants of Alassio, which' 
"written by one of themselves may furnish 
them the example of not leaving to stran- 
gers the task of setting forth the charms 
of their beautiful sunny spot. 
The book is written in English because 
it is the language of the greater part of 
our visitors, and because it is the English 
who are. especially interested in plant- 
hunting. But even an Alassian hereafter 
induced to take up the same pursuit will 
find little difficulty in using this work, 
consisting as it does, chiefly of technical 
terms which are common to all languages. 
With such additional help, I should be 
able to make a more complete Flora, with 
fuller descriptions and records of places 
where the various plants may be found. 
I have even thought of adding a map 
of the territory, divided into numbered 
squares, and annexing to the name of each 
