MALTA AND SICILY. 
89 
certainly very delicious, but, I think, not 
superior to the very best of those which are 
brought to England. Yet I have heard it 
said, that those only who have eaten the 
orange in the land of its growth have tasted 
it in full perfection. I am rather disappoint¬ 
ed in the appearance of the orange-planta¬ 
tions. All those we have seen are surrounded 
by high walls, which in this island are said to 
be quite necessary, in order, I believe, to 
protect the blossom from the wind. Still an 
orange-tree, in any situation, is a beautiful 
object when loaded with ripe fruit, the bright 
colour of which forms such a fine contrast 
with the dark green of the leaves. 
We have not added much to our collec¬ 
tions lately, but we hope to be more success¬ 
ful when we remove into the country, and as 
the weather becomes warmer. One morning 
as we were exploring the neighbourhood of 
