. ! I ( 
 
 11 
 
 ^f 
 
THE 
 
 GEOLOGY, BOTANY, 
 AND NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 t jj,%lim islands. 
 
 COMPILED BY 
 
 JHE J^EY. p. N. GODWIN, 
 
 CHAPLAIN TO THE FORCES. 
 
 MALTA: 
 
 PRINTED BY PAOLO BONAVIA: M.DCCC.LXXX. 
 SOLD BY W. WATSON, 248 Strada Keale. 
 
W-/5 
 
 ch 
 
 TO 
 
 CHARLES AND EMILY BURT, 
 
 MY FRIENDS A.ND TEACHERS, 
 
 THIS LITTLE WORK 
 
 IS DEDICATED. 
 
 JVJ3753B6 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 GEOLOGICAL OUTLINE, 
 
 Ancient and Modern Geologists. Classification of Strata. 
 Upper or Coral Limestone. Yellow Sandstone and Blue 
 Clay. Free-stone. Lower Limestone. The Great and Lesser 
 Faults. Fossil Fauna. 
 
 THE Knights of St. John had in their ranks 
 some few observers of natural phenomena. In 1647 
 the historian Abela wrote quaintly concerning cert- 
 ain huge bones which he somewhat credulously 
 supposed to be those of the giant builders of the 
 ancient temples of Malta and Gozo, and in 1747, 
 Scilla, the well known Sicilian artist, pourfcrayed 
 several characteristic Malttse fossils and the teeth 
 of the carnivorous fossil whale Zeuglodon, the re- 
 mains of which have also been met with in North 
 America. The Commander Dolomieu about a century 
 ago laboured in the same field, but it is to the 
 patient industry of Professor Edward Forbes, Cap- 
 tain Spratt R. N., Dr. A. L. Adams M. A., Dr. 
 Wright and others, that we are chiefly indebted for 
 our knowledge of the various geological formations 
 of the Maltese islands, and it is from their works 
 
6 
 
 that the following outline has been compiled. Herr 
 Fuchs must also be mentioned as the author of a 
 very able sketch on " The age of the Tertiary For- 
 mations in Malta, (Das alter der Tmtiaren Schicfi- 
 ten filr Malta}, which contains the most complete 
 list at present in existence of the various fossils 
 found in the different strata. 
 
 The Maltese islands situated nearly in the centre 
 of the Mediterranean basin, are of Tertiary origin 
 and are now generally admitted to belong to the 
 late Eocene subdivision of that formation. It is 
 scarcely necessary to remark that the names of 
 Eocene and Miocene were given by Sir Charles 
 Lyell to the Lower and Middle Tertiary strata. The 
 Eocene fossils include only 3 per cent of living 
 species whilst in the Miocene formations the pro- 
 portion of living to fossil species is 25 per cent. 
 Dr. Adams says that " the Maltese islands are as- 
 suredly mere fragments of what had once been an 
 extensive sea-bottom, which when first upheaved 
 formed part of either Europe or Africa or both, 
 and lastly that after oscillations of level the greater 
 portion was submerged, leaving only these small 
 remnants now known to us as Malta, Gozo, and 
 Comino. " The latest theories favour the idea of up- 
 heaval after previous submergence. To quote 
 Captain Spratt R. N. " The axis of the chain 
 of the Maltese islands runs from S. E. to N. 
 W. and is about 29 miles long. Malta, the south- 
 
7 
 
 ernmost of the group, is nearly 17 miles long; 
 and its greatest breadth measured transversely to 
 the axis, is nearly 9 miles. Gozo, the northernmost 
 island is nearly nine miles long, and its greatest 
 transverse breadth is a little more than 5 miles." 
 ' The mineral deposits of which these islands 
 consist are all stratified and disposed in parallel 
 layers. They seldom deviate much from the horizontal 
 position, but the prevailing dip, which is very gentle, 
 varies from N. E. -to E. by N. and consequently 
 the prevailing strike of the deposits coincides nearly 
 in direction with the axis of the chain. " 
 
 The Apennines and the Sicilian chains have 
 the same inclination rendering it probable that all 
 were upheaved ab the same time. The rocks blend 
 into one another so gradually that it is sometimes 
 not easy to say where limestone ends and sandstone 
 commences. 
 
 " None of the deposits are wholly devoid of 
 organic remains and some of the softer strata con- 
 tain them in great abundance, and in a state of 
 excellent preservation. Many of these fossils are 
 characteristic of certain strata, and all are of marine 
 origin." 
 
 From the discovery of the remains of amphibious 
 animals such as the dugong, manatee, seals, and 
 crocodilians, together with corals and corallines it 
 is thought that the rocks of Malta were formed 
 at no great distance from land. 
 
8 
 
 Captain Spratfc thus groups the strata in descen- 
 ding order: 1 Coral Limestone: 2 Yellow Sandstone and 
 Blue Clay: 3 Freestone: 4 Semi-crystalline Limestone: 
 whilst Dr. Adams has five divisions thus: 1 Upper 
 Limestone: 2 Sand: 3 Marl: 4 Calcareous Sandstone: 
 5 Lower Limestone. 
 
 The Upper or Coral Limestone (A) which is 
 in some places 250 feet in depth " consists of a 
 reddish-brown or whitish calcareous rock which is 
 mostly of a compact, hard and almost flinty texture. 
 It contains cretaceous nodules, and is sometimes 
 interstratified with soft calcareous sandstone. " It 
 covers almost the entire S. W. and N. W. portions 
 of Malta. The island of Comino with its cliifs rising 
 more than 200 feet above sea-level is almost entirely 
 composed of it, and it forms a capping to nearly 
 all the isolated hills of Gozo, from which however 
 t has been much denuded. "Near Casal Garbo, 
 towards the N. W. angle of Gozo, the only remains 
 of the coral limestone, which originally formed a 
 continuous upper crust over that part of the island, 
 are detached masses of this deposit lying on the 
 surface of denuded freestone. Similar masses are 
 seen in other parts of the island. Some of these 
 fragments at Casal Garbo are variegated with yellow 
 and white, and are used for ornamental work under the 
 name of "Gozo Marble/" It abounds in fossils, amongst 
 which molluscs and echinse are numerous with some 
 remains of sea-weeds, but traces of the higher animals 
 
THE GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS 
 OF THE MALTESE ISLANDS. 
 
 (A... 
 
 L { 
 
 IB... 
 
 No 
 
 No. II. 
 
 No. III. 
 
 fD... 
 E... 
 
 . F... 
 
 G... 
 
 H.. 
 ^ 
 
 No. IV. I.. 
 
 .Coral Limestone. 
 
 Yellow and black or 
 green sand intermixed. 
 .Marl. 
 
 .White sandstone. 
 
 .Keddish, yellow, & grey 
 
 sandstone. 
 .Pale yellow sandstone. 
 
 .Chocolate-coloured no- 
 dules, teeth, shells, &c. 
 .Yellow sandstone. 
 
 ..Semi-crystalline lime- 
 stone. 
 
 The geologist should not fail to examine the admir- 
 able Geological Map at the Garrison Library, and the 
 Geological Sections in the Museum, Valletta. 
 
9 
 
 are not so frequently met with as in the under- 
 lying beds. 
 
 The Yellow Sandstone (B) the depth of which 
 is variously estimated at from 20 to 40 feet " consists 
 of yellow sand or sandstone with greenish-black 
 parfcicles intermixed. It abounds in organic remains 
 many of which differ from those of the coral limestone. 
 One of its most characteristic fossils is a small 
 Nummulite which sometimes is in such quantity 
 as to form a third part of the bed to which it 
 belongs. It occurs most abundantly in the cliffs 
 of the Bay of Ramla on the N. W. coast of Gozo." 
 Layers of oysters, the teeth and bones of sharks, 
 and the remains of Cetacea are also met with in 
 this formation which can be easily examined in the 
 cliffs on the N. W. shore of Malta, at Ramla Bay in 
 Gozo, and below Fort Chambray in the same 
 island, and also in the neighbourhood of Citta Vecchia. 
 
 The Blue Clay or Marl (C) from 100 to 120 
 feet in thickness "contains two or three thick layers 
 of a lighter colour than the rest, and imbedded 
 in it are crystals of gypsum and occasionally nodules of 
 sulphur/' The cliffs at Karabba shew to advantage 
 the thickness of the marl, which is strongly impregnat- 
 ed with lime, and contain a few organic remains. 
 The bones of whales, sharks' teeth, teeth and spines 
 of rays and other species of fishes are not uncommon. 
 "The Testacea are chiefly species of Mitra etc. 
 A Nautilus is found, but rarely, under Fort Chambray. 
 
10 
 
 With the shells has been found the bone of a 
 small Sepia (or cuttle fish). The fossils of the clay 
 generally serve as nuclei to irregular nodules of 
 iron pyrites, and the substance of the fossils is 
 frequently converted into hydrated peroxide of iron. " 
 
 To the Blue Clay succeed five beds which Captain 
 Spratt groups under the name of Freestone and 
 Dr. Adams under that of Calcareous Sandstone, 
 with a depth of 200 feet. This formation occupies 
 fully one half of the surface of both islands, and 
 iu Malta its district would be portioned off by a 
 line running about N. through Citta Vecchia. 
 
 " The clay passes into a white calcareous 
 sandstone (D) from 20 to 30 feet thick, and below 
 this is a blueish-grey or fawn coloured marl (E) about 
 20 feet thick. These two deposits contain several 
 species of microscopic chambered shells. " 
 
 " Next are found from 20 to 30 feet of a 
 pale yellow or white calcareous freestone (F) sep- 
 arable into thin strata. It contains nodules of flint, 
 and the fossils of this bed are found in a silicified 
 state on the N. W. side of the Bengemma hills. " 
 
 " This stone is sometimes used for building, 
 but it exfoliates by exposure to the weather, and 
 more particularly when acted on by the sea. It 
 contains a Scalaria and other forms. " 
 
 " Below the upper bed of Freestone is a bed, 
 from 2 to 8 feet thick of Calcareous Sandstone (G) 
 of a pale chocolate colour and flinty hardness which 
 
11 
 
 consists almost wholly of the casts of organic re- 
 mains (see Professor Forbes' catalogue), and mixed 
 with the casts are shapeless nodules of the sand- 
 stone of the same colour and texture. This deposit 
 preserves its peculiar character wherever the free- 
 stone group of beds is found. It is best exhibited 
 in the island of Gozo, in the Bay of Marsa el 
 Forno on the N. W. coast, and at the base of the 
 cliffs under Fort Chambray where it forms rocky 
 ledges two or three hundred yards broad, extending 
 along the coast, and rising only a foot or two above 
 the sea level." 
 
 "The lowest bed of the group is a yellowish 
 white calcareous freestone (H) from 40 to 50 feet 
 thick. This is the stone which is commonly used 
 for building in the two islands. From the facility 
 with which it may be cut with the hatchet, or formed 
 with the lathe, this stone both in the rough state 
 in the form of slabs, and also when turned into 
 pillars, balustrades, vases, and other architectural 
 ornaments is used extensively in all the public and 
 private edifices of Malta and Gozo, and is an arti- 
 cle of considerable export to all parts of the Me- 
 diterranean. A fossil turtle was found in this bed 
 near Casal Luca, south of the city of Valletta/' 
 
 Remains of the great carnivorous whale Zeug- 
 lodon, of seals, and of the amphibious mammal 
 Halitheium have been discovered in this formation, 
 together with jaws of crocodilians, not to mention 
 
12 
 
 numerous molluscs, cuttle fish, barnacles, and marine 
 plants. 
 
 The lower or semi-crystalline limestone (I), is 
 of a greyish colour, and on the S. and N. W. coasts 
 of Gozo shews nearly 400 feet of perpendicular depth. 
 It, in common with the harder varieties of the Up- 
 per Limestone is known as Gozo marble and Malta 
 granite. It is extensively quarried for building pur- 
 poses in the neighbourhood of Musta, and on the 
 denuded flat to the W. of Valletta. 
 
 All along the southern shores of tho islands, 
 this formation is gradually yielding to the disin- 
 tegrating influence of the Sirocco blast, and the 
 ever-beating surf. 
 
 The Lower Limestone can be easily studied be- 
 tween Fort Ricasoli and the Zoncor Tower, whilst 
 inland it may be traced in the Wied Incita, near 
 the Lunatic Asylum, in the ueighbourhood of Musta, 
 and below Gargur. 
 
 Fossils are abundant, but owing to the hard- 
 ness of the rock perfect specimens are detached with 
 difficulty. The saucer shaped urchin, an organism 
 resembling fossil leaves, sharks' teeth, whales' bones, 
 oyster shells, claws of swimming crabs, burrowing 
 sponges, &c., are amongst those most frequently met 
 with. Nine species of shark formerly inhabited 
 these waters, the teeth of some of them being 7 
 inches long ! 
 
13 
 
 Malta is divided into two parts by a great 
 " fault " or break in the continuity of the strata, 
 due to either depression or upheaval. This fault 
 " cuts the island transversely to the axis of the 
 chain, and to tho N. W. lets down the strata about 
 300 feet. Gozo also is divided, a little way in- 
 land from the strait which separates it from Malta 
 by a fault running also transversely to the axis of 
 the chain, and producing to the S. E. nearly the 
 same amount of depression in the strata which is 
 occasioned in the opposite direction by the fault 
 of Malta. The joint effect of these two disturb- 
 ances is to let down the deposits in the space 
 between the two faults to the depth above-men- 
 tioned, that being about half the height above the 
 sea-level of the most elevated points in each of the 
 two islands." 
 
 A rising ground near Casal Dingli 750 feet 
 above sea-level, and the hill of Bisbiegi with an 
 altitude of 743 feet are the two highest points in 
 Malta and Gozo. "In the sunken tract lie the 
 straits of Frieghi which separate Malta from Gozo, 
 and midway between the two principal islands, the 
 small island of Comiao." The fault of Malta is 
 clearly visible in the Bay of Fom-e-Bieh (mouth 
 of the wind) on the S. W. shore of the island, 
 from whence it passess below the Bengemma Hills, 
 crosses the plain of Nasciar, and reaching the north- 
 
14 
 
 era shore at Maddalena terminates in a bold bluff. 
 (See Section 4.) 
 
 The Revd. H. Seddall says: "To the existence 
 of this fault is due one of the most picturesque 
 features of Malta. Often on a fine spring morning 
 have I stood on the ridge of the Nasciar heights, 
 the whole plain below glowing with the blossom 
 of the purple sulla ( a kind of clover Hedysarium 
 coronarium), the inlets of the bays of the Salini, 
 St. Paul's, and the Straits of Frieghi reposing like 
 gems of tha deepest blue in their setting of white 
 rock, which the sun irradiated with a perfectly 
 dazzling lustre, enjoying the first cool breath of 
 the maestrale, as it dimpled the azure of the lazy 
 deep, and mapping out the course of present or 
 future excursions with gun, hammer, or botanical 
 box." 
 
 Minor faults in the depressed area have aided 
 in the formation of the Bays of St. Paul and Mel- 
 leha. According to Capt. Spratt the Gozo fault 
 emerging from the ravine of Ghain Selim passes 
 to the N. of Fort Chambray, and to the S. of Casal 
 Nadur, meeting the sea on the N. E. coast in the 
 Bay of Silek (See Map and Section 2), but 13i\ 
 Adams assigns to it a somewhat different direction. 
 Numerous minor faults exist such as that of Malak 
 on the southern shore, the Macluba near Crendi, 
 and the curious hollow known as the Kaura in Gozo. 
 
 "Most of the valleys in the Maltese islands 
 
15 
 
 follow fche course of the dip of the strata. Among the 
 Bengemma Hills lie the valleys of Boschetto and 
 Emtahleb, wlr.ch are noted for their picturesque 
 scenery and also for their fertility. Their productiveness 
 is owing to the springs which break out at the 
 outcrop of the blue clay, in consequence of its 
 retaining the moisture which falls on the porous 
 substance of the superincumbent coral limestone and 
 yellow sandstone. There are no springs in Malta 
 and Gozo but where there is clay to retain the 
 water. " The washing away of the mari would 
 therefore make Malta a mere arid rock and deprive 
 Valletta of its supply of water. 
 
 From the numerous and interesting remains of 
 hippopotami, elephants, fresh-water tortoises etc. 
 found in these islands, and also from other evidence 
 it seems probable that Africa, Malta, and Italy were 
 formerly united and that the now submerged dis- 
 trict was covered with a varied and extensive 
 flora. Herds of both larger and pigmy elephants the 
 latter being 3 feet, 4 feet 7 inches, and 7 feet in 
 height roamed the land. Dr. Adams and Sig. Caruana 
 have found skeletons or teeth of hundreds of these ani- 
 mals near Benghisa Tower, near Fort Ricasoli, at Zeb- 
 bug, Crendi, the Mnaidra Gap, the Malak and Melleha 
 caves, and other places. 
 
 The Hippopotamus Pentlandi has left his bones 
 at Melleha, Malak, and elsewhere. Abundant wild-fowl 
 covered the lakes and lagoons, one of which the 
 
16 
 
 Cygnus Falconeri was fully one third larger than 
 our present swan. Its remains have been found at 
 G-andia and Mnaidra. The Myoxus a gigantic fossil 
 dormouse, as big in proportion to the living species 
 as a good-sized rabbit is to a brown rat existed 
 in large numbers. A lizard larger than a chameleon 
 and a hnge fresh water tortoise have also been met 
 with. Carnivorous animals were not wanting for the 
 elephants' bones found at Zebbug showed marks of 
 fierce and eager gnawing. The bones of a ruminant 
 allied to the goat or sheep have been unearthed 
 near Crendi. No traces of implements or of man's 
 presence amongst these long extinct animals have as 
 yet been discovered. Those who wish to pursue 
 this subject further are referred to the " Notes of 
 a Naturalist iu the Nile Valley and Malta" by Dr. 
 Adams, Captain Spratt's f< Geology of the Maltese 
 Islands," Seddall's "Malta Past and Present," 
 Tallack's " Malta under the Phoenicians, Knights, 
 and English" and other kindred works too numerous 
 to name. 
 
17 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 BOTANICAL NOTES, 
 
 Maltese Botanists. Books of Eeference. General Aspect 
 of the Islands. Trees and Fruits. Marine Flora. Grasses 
 and Aromatic Plants. Midsummer in Malta. Spring and 
 Summer Vegetation. Fungus Melitensis, etc. Botanical 
 Excursions in Malta. The Flora of Gozo. 
 
 IN the year 1670, Dr. G. F. Bonamico the 
 Father of Maltese Naturalists enumerated 243 distinct 
 varieties of plants as existing in these islands. Five 
 years afterwards Dr. G. Zammit a member of the 
 Order of St. John occupied the Botanical Chair, 
 and established a Botanical Garden in the moat of 
 Fort St. Elmo. Dr. Cavallini, one of Dr. Zammif's 
 pupils published in 1698 the result of the researches 
 of Bonamico, with the addition of 83 varieties noted 
 by himself. P, Boccoue of Palermo between 1674- 
 1697 wrote ably upon the flora and fauna of Malta. 
 He has been styled the Pliny of his century. Not 
 to mention others, Peter Forskal in 1775 described 
 the plants of Egypt and Malta, and was followed 
 by J. D ; Urville in 1822. In 1825 G. E. Giacinto 
 
18 
 
 a Genoese, who had been appointed Professor of 
 Botany in 1805 by Sir Alex. Ball, published with 
 the aid of Drs. Naudi and Zerapha " The Plants of 
 the Islands of Malta, Gozo, and Lampedusa" enu- 
 merating 854 distinct varieties. 
 
 In 1827 and 1831 Dr. S. Zerapha published 
 his admirable "Florae Melitensis Thesaurus" which 
 describes 498 native and 155 exotic plants, and in 
 1853 the "Flora Melitensis" of Dr. Delicata containing 
 an account of 716 plants saw the light. Three 
 years later Dr. Gulia published his valuable " Re- 
 pertorio Botanico " to which the student is referred, 
 and from which many of the foregoing 1 ' particulars 
 have been gathered. See also Dr. Gulia' s " Eepertorio 
 di Storia Naturale," Gussone's "Floras Siculae Syn- 
 opsis" (Naples), and Wood's "Tourists 7 Flora" (Reeves, 
 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden), together with 
 "Malta Past and Present," by the Revd. H. Sed- 
 dall, and Dr. L. Adams' " Notes of a Naturalist 
 in the Nile Valley and Malta, " and the exhaustive 
 Analytical Flora of Dr. Gulia, one third of which 
 has already (1880) seen the light. 
 
 The islands have a general aspect of barrenness, 
 owing to the want of trees, and the absence of 
 shade renders the heats of summer more than 
 usually oppressive. The three necessaries for suc- 
 cessful arboriculture, viz., abundant soil, constant 
 moisture, and shelter, are not always readily attain- 
 able. But where these advantages exist, almost all 
 
19 
 
 trees of temperate or even tropical regions flour- 
 ish and thrive. Beneath the surface rocks there 
 is an inexhaustible bed of marl eminently adapted 
 for the support of trees. The Gozitans were form- 
 erly in the habit of destroying all trees along 
 the roads lest their spreading roots should lessen 
 the yield of cotton from the adjacent fields. The 
 carouba is the most common tree, but it abounds 
 chiefly in the eastern districts of Malta. The aloe, 
 actus indicus, and geranium attain a considerable 
 size. The principal fruits are strawberries, figs, 
 pomegranates, grapes, prickly pears, apples, pears, 
 peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, cherries, melons, 
 and lemons. Also the Japanese medlar or nespoli 
 and the orange, which latter is not surpassed any- 
 where in the Mediterranean. Even the best varie- 
 ties of grapes speedily degenerate in these islands. 
 The planting of trees would lessen the excess- 
 ive heat, increase the water supply, and multiply 
 fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The indigenous plants 
 of which Dr. Zerapha enumerates 644 species are 
 more numerous than might perhaps be expected 
 from the rocky nature of the soil and the almost 
 universal cultivation. The marine flora are of course 
 numerous. The grass wrack is washed on shore in 
 vast quantities, and does good service as manure- 
 Those however which require a sandy beach are 
 comparatively rare such as Polygonum maritimum 
 found at the Marsa and St. George's Bay, Galtile 
 
20 
 
 maritima in the Bay of Melleha, Euphorbia Para- 
 lias in the Bays of Saline and Gneyna, E. terra- 
 cina in Melleha Bay, Eryngium maritimum at Mel- 
 leha, Gneyna, etc., Pancratium Illyricum at Eamla 
 Bay in Gozo. Dr. Zerapha enumerates 19 species 
 of the handsome Euphorbia. A very common marine 
 plant which loves the sandy shore is the Crucia- 
 nella maritima, which may be met with at SHema 
 and elsewhere. It blossoms in April and June. 
 On the rocks of the southern shore are particularly 
 to be noticed the Hypericum ^Egyptiacum and An- 
 thyllis Hermannice, the latter having also an affect- 
 ion for the barren hill side. 
 
 The islands are rich in the natural order of 
 the Papilionacece, Of this the genus Trifolium counts 
 the greatest number of varieties of which some of the 
 most interesting are Trifolium subterraneum found 
 in sunny spots during March and May, and Trifolium 
 suffocatum not unknown at Floriana. Then follow 
 the genera Medicago, Melilotus, Lotus, and Ononis. 
 
 The grasses are of course in great variety, 
 We may note the Lygeum spartum found at St. 
 Paul's Bay, Imtahleb, Fauara, etc. The Stipa tortilis 
 and Stipa pinnata are found everywhere on uncul- 
 tivated spots. 
 
 Aromatic plants are few in number but we 
 may note Mentha Pulegium vulgare, Melissa officinalis y 
 Nepetha calamintha, and Thymus capitatus, the flowers 
 
21 
 
 of which give a delicious flavour to the honey of 
 Malta whilst the stalks are used as fuel. 
 
 Dr. Adams says. "The physical aspect of the 
 Maltese islands in midsummer is by no means inviting. 
 Viewed from a commanding position, they present 
 an extremely sterile and desolate appearance which 
 is heightened by the interminable stone walls, rocky 
 ravines, bare plateaus, and plains without marsh or 
 stream ; for, excepting a few fig, vine, cactus, carob, 
 orange, pomegranate, and Persian lilac trees in 
 gardens in or about the towns and villages not a 
 blade of grass or a plant of any sort is there to 
 gladden the eye, or relieve the glare of a semi- 
 tropical sun. " 
 
 But after the autumn rains Malta grows green as 
 if by miracle. In January, anemones, several vari- 
 eties of Fumaria, geraniums, the Hypericum JEgyptia- 
 ctim and numerous other plants are in blossom. The 
 Mediterranean heath Erica peduncularis is found in 
 the Wied Incita, and the borage, rosemary, various 
 euphorbias, and plants of the nettle tribe will repay 
 the toil of the botanist, not to mention the narcissus 
 and asphodel. 
 
 In February the pheasant's eye, poppies, mallows, 
 and geraniums, vetches, chrysanthemums and varieties 
 the iris are in bloom. 
 
 To quote Dr. Adams once more "As far as 
 verdure is concerned Malta may be said* to be in 
 its prime in February. It is then that the daisy 
 
 VP 
 
22 
 
 and dandelion deck the meads, grassy lanes, and 
 waysides, wheat is ripening, and the luxuriant tops 
 of the purple vetch Hedysarium corcnarium adorn 
 the terraced fields and commingle their flowers with 
 the red poppy, yellow marigold, daffodil, crimson 
 pheasant's eye and purple anemone, where the painted 
 lady, cabbage, clouded saffron, and other butterflies 
 are sporting. The evergreen of the stunted locust 
 or carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) contrasts well with 
 the whole scene, whilst the bare boughs of the 
 fig stand out in inanimate ugliness against the 
 stone fence around the terraced fields. About the 
 loth of February wheat is in ear, and the progress in 
 vegetation may be said to have reached its height." 
 
 During March and April vegetation is luxuriant. 
 Eanunculi, poppies, several species of Cruciferce, etc. 
 flower. The caper plant makes fortifications gay 
 with leaves and flowers, and the ice plant may 
 be met with. 
 
 The summer flowering plants mostly belong to the 
 Composites. The so called Centaurea Spatulata with 
 leaves like those of a Sempervivum which grows on 
 the rocks above Fauara, blossoms in May. Some 
 botanists deny its claim to be considered a Centaurea 
 and regard it as a distinct genus. Snapdragons, 
 aromatic plants, glassworts, euphorbias, the caper, 
 cinerarias etc., with numerous others perfume the air. 
 
 Fifteen species of the orchid tribe amongst which 
 are the Orchis undulatJfolia 3 and saccata are found. 
 

 23 
 
 The OpTirys tenthrect inifera or saw fly orchis is re- 
 markable; gladiolus, wild garlic, squill, 17 species of 
 sedges and 77 grasses are also to be procured. 
 The viscous Orsinia campkorata with a strong smell 
 of camphor grows on the walls of Valletta, and 
 in many a valley. 
 
 Other rare plants are the Scolopendrium hemi- 
 onitiSy Fagonica cretica, Putoria calabrica found on 
 a rock near the chapel of St. Paul the Hermit in 
 the Wied El Ghasel, near Musta, Convolvulus cala- 
 brica which grows near Imtahleb, Cheiranthus tricus- 
 pidatus near Marsa Sirocco, Teucrum scordioides, 
 Helianthemum Fumana near Gerzuma, Hyacinihus 
 romanus at Fauara, Imtahleb, and Musta, Carthamus 
 coeruleus at Imtahleb, etc. 
 
 The Cynomorium coccineum or Fungus Meliten- 
 sis which is found on the southern shore of Malta 
 near Casal Dingli, and more abundantly on and 
 around the General's Rock in Gozo, was long in 
 great repute as a remedy for hoemorrhage and dys- 
 entery. It begins to blossom in April. It is said that 
 the Daucus gummifer, certain species of the Cheir- 
 anihi, and Gnaphalia, and several other plants not 
 met with elsewhere in the Maltese islands are to 
 be found on the General's Eock. 
 
 During the summer months botanists who care 
 not to suffer from sunstroke will not go far from 
 home. Dr. Delicata's "Flora Melitensis" admirably 
 points out the localities in which various plants will 
 
24 
 
 be found, together with their times of flowering, 
 and Dr. Gulia in his Analytical Flora estimates the 
 Maltese plants to be not less than 1000 in number. 
 
 The following remarks by the last named able 
 naturalist will be found useful by the botanist in 
 his rural excursions. 
 
 " Let us ascend into the higher valleys which 
 formerly when submerged gave shelter to marine 
 animals. Here we shall meet with the fragrant 
 narcissus and the modest violet, which take the place 
 of the seaweeds which formerly covered this district." 
 
 "Let us penetrate into Wied Kirda, on the stately 
 sides of which the Coronilla valentina blossoms in 
 March." Its perfume which resembles that of the jon- 
 quil is a good reason for its cultivation within doors. 
 Some authors say that it exhales perfume by 
 night, but it is certain that it is also fragrant 
 during the day. Very beautiful is the yellow tulip 
 Tulipa sylvestris which grows beneath the olive, and 
 on the edges cf the fields opposite to the picturesque 
 Chapel of Sant. Antonio. It was first met with 
 here by Dr. Agostino Naudi, and grows nowhere 
 else in Malta or Gozo." 
 
 " The ivyclad walls of the fields urge the botanist 
 to continue his researches, which will be repaid by 
 Calendula sicula with its large flowers and by 
 many other species. One of the best places for a 
 botanical excursion is the Wied Babu, between 
 Crendi and Zarrico, where, at various seasons, a 
 
25 
 
 large portion of the Maltese flora can be studied. 
 Large bushes of the fragrant rosemary cover the 
 rocks, and here and there upon heaps of stones may 
 be seen the Lonicera implexa with its twig-abounding, 
 climbing stalks adorned with large masses of blossom. 
 The beautiful Gypsocallis multiflora is abundant and 
 most beautiful orchids, two kinds of narcissus, and 
 several coronillas make gay the soil. The service 
 tree, the quince, the white thorn with its numerous 
 varieties, the Neapolitan medlar, together with the 
 cultivated and wild pear tree grow there, no doubt 
 spontaneously. We must not forget to mention a 
 very beautiful Centaurea which grows on the rocks 
 near the sea, which from the form and thickness 
 of the leaves has been variously named spatulata 
 and crassi folia. From the beauty of its large violet- 
 coloured flowers it deserves to be introduced into 
 our gardens." 
 
 "Amongst rare plants we may mention the SCOT- 
 zonera octangular is found at Uardia by Mr. C. A. 
 Wright, who also discovered the Ononis variegata, 
 and in Gozo the Senencio. 
 
 The Aristolochia longa is found in the Wied 
 Herief, and the Scolopendrium officinale in the Wied 
 Ghomor. On a shady rock in the Wied Babu the 
 S-plenium trichomanes finds a home, and the Romulea 
 r ami flora, Asparagus fistulosus, Iris tuber osa, and 
 Sisymbrium sophia are not unknown." With refe- 
 rence to the flora of Gozo Dr. Gulia says: 
 
26 
 
 " After making several excursions in various 
 directions the botanist will observe that in districts 
 in which the upper calcareous strata are found, 
 plants thrive which are sought for in vain in the 
 denuded districts : and that in the localities where 
 marl is abundant he will find plants which do not 
 grow elsewhere. It is on this account that more 
 wild varieties are met with in Gozo than in Malta, 
 and that others which in Malta are sickly and 
 captious, in Gozo exhibit all the vigour of healthy 
 growth, and cover a considerable area/ 7 
 
 " The vegetation of the N. W. portion of Malta 
 resembles that of Gozo, the Kundmannia sicula 
 which is found near Citta Vecchia and at St. Paul's 
 Bay, growing also in great abundance upon all 
 the calcareous hills in the sister island. The beautiful 
 Reseda lutea which in Malta is found in the spots 
 loved by the Kundmannia is very plentiful in Gozo. 
 Numerous also are the plants which grow in Gozo 
 and not in Malta. The sweet and vigorous balm mint 
 Melissa officinalis clothes all the valleys, and there 
 grows also in the clefts of the rocks of the Wied 
 el Xlendi the Silene fruticosa with its rosy flowers, 
 and which at first sight seems to be a saponaria, 
 together with Raphanus landra and Raphanus 
 fug ax by the side of the never-failing brooklet/' 
 
 "In the valleys wherever running water is to 
 be found the agnus cast us or Vitex agnus castus 
 flowers in profusion, Its seeds were formerly consider- 
 
27 
 
 ed to be of use in checking immodesty, and for the 
 preservation of chastity, which caused the monks of 
 the fifth century to cultivate it in their monasteries 
 with jealous care. It grows vigorously at Marsa 
 Scala and Wied el Bu'runi together with the Populus 
 alba and the Tamarix Africana. On several hills 
 in Gozo thrives the graceful little valerian named 
 by Dufresnoy Oentranthus Calcitrapa." 
 
 "Unless the botanist visits Gozo in the springtime 
 he can form no idea of the beauty and wealth of 
 some of its valleys in which the fertilising waters 
 constantly refresh numerous indigenous plants, which 
 together with the cultivated species make these 
 districts fair to look upon. The Hypericum JEgijptiacum 
 grows abundantly all adown the valley of Xlendi, 
 the steep sides of which here and there give susten- 
 ance to the Daucus australis. In the same valley 
 are to be found very beautiful specimens of Delphinium 
 iongipes, Clilora perfoliaia, Sedum amplexwaule y and 
 Sedum cceruleum which the Gozitans call, I know 
 not for what whim, Gheneb il Madonna or Our 
 Lady's grape, the rare Scutellaria pereyrina, and 
 many another plant which adds to the beauty which 
 Nature has lavished upon this spot." 
 
 "Plants belonging to our flora grow abundantly 
 in like manner in other valleys. In marly soils, 
 and in the neighbourhood of the sea may be recog- 
 nised by its rosy red cluster of blossoms the 
 lesser centaurea. which is no less useful in medicine 
 
28 
 
 than lovely in the garden. At El Pergla in the 
 proper season we may find the Triolium abbreviatum, 
 the Scabiosa longiflora, the cineraria with its golden 
 clusters, and the Samolus Valerundi. There the queen 
 of European grasses assumes stately proportions, 
 and there grow in great abundance the Campanula 
 Erinus, the Rovo, the fruit of which is called the 
 spotted mulberry, the plantain, the agnus castus, 
 with the sweet melissa and the graceful Torilis 
 nodosa. The Similax aspera, and the 8. Mauritanica 
 with their climbing stalks cover the rocks and heaps 
 of stones." 
 
 " Common in such rural spots are the wild plum, 
 quince, pomegranate, and German medlar trees. There 
 also we may notice the Celsia cretica, the Diplilotaxis 
 viminea, and a goodly number of grasses. On the 
 coast) grows the OaJcile maritima, and every where 
 in Gozo we find tufts of Ononis ramosissima, which 
 is dried and used in the caulking of ships." 
 
 " The Crucianella maritima exhales its balsam- 
 like perfume at eventide, and every spring gives life 
 to beds of water cress. At San Paolo di Marsa el 
 Forn the botanist will find the striped convolvulus, 
 and upon the lofty Ta Cenc Rocks the sturdy 
 Euphorbia dendrotdes. Upon the hill Ta Harrax 
 luxuriate the Conixa Saxatilis, the Lotus cytisoides, 
 the tall Fenda nodiflora, and the Ruta chalepensis. 
 In the fields which flank this hill grows amongst 
 the standing corn the Bartsia trixago var. versicolor 
 
29 
 
 and under the stone heaps by the sides of these 
 fields Helmintia echoides in great profusion. In 
 certain waste places we meet with a variety of the 
 Cardus pycnocephalus of Linnaeus, which differs 
 from the typical species in having perfectly white 
 flowers. 
 
 Since the Chair of Natural History and Medical 
 Jurisprudence has been occupied by Dr. Gavino 
 Gulia, the Botanical Garden has been re organised, 
 and now contains some 2000 foreign plants. The 
 most critical and rare plants belonging to the 
 Maltese flora are also cultivated, so that the tourist 
 lover of botany will have no need to visit the 
 ravines during the great heats of summer. 
 
30 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 ffisTOf\v. 
 
 Maltese Naturalists. Wild animals. Marine Mammalia. 
 Domestic animals. Maltese Dogs. Tho Econornico-Agrarian 
 Society, 
 
 AMONGST the careful observers of birds, beasts, 
 reptiles, and zoophytes may be mentioned Sig. 
 Antonio Schembri who in 1 Q 43 published a valuable 
 list of birds observed in Malta and Gozo, and in 
 January 1864 there appeared in the columns of the 
 Ibis a most careful and able enumeration of 253 
 different species by C. Wright Esqre., since which 
 time this eminent naturalist has added 14 others, 
 making a present total of 267 species. W. C. P. 
 Medlicott. Esqre., W. Grant Esqre., Dr. A. L. Adams, 
 the Revd. H. Seddall, Dr. Gavino Gulia, Sig. G. 
 Marno, Sig. Gaetano Trapani, Dr. A. A. Caruana, 
 Mr. Davidson, and others have also studied the 
 Maltese fauna, and the student of Natural History is 
 referred to their works which can be obtained from 
 the local libraries and booksellers. 
 
31 
 
 The mammalia of the Maltese islands are re- 
 presented by a few well known European forms. 
 The wild animals are the weasel, hedgehog, rabbit, 
 Norway rat, several species of mouse, and the horse- 
 shoe and long eared bats. 
 
 The weasel is the solitary representative of the 
 carnivora and is a determined foe to the rabbit- 
 It is seldom seen, living as it does in dikes and 
 stony places. The hedgehog prefers the cultivated 
 districts as does also the rabbit. This latter animal 
 was formerly strictly preserved at certain places 
 such as Corradino Hill, the neighbourhood of Fom- 
 e-rieh, the island of Comino, etc., by the Knights, 
 no Maltese sportsman being allowed to shoot or 
 otherwise destroy it. It is said that in less than 
 seven years Sir H. C. Ponsomby when Governor 
 of Malta had 11,000 rabbits killed off near Marfa. 
 Eabbits in Malta are less warmly clad in fur than 
 their English family connexions. Marl heaps along 
 the shore are convenient for burrowing purposes, 
 but men and weasels are terrible foes to them. 
 The little horse-shoe bat (Phinolophus hipposiderosj 
 is often seen during the summer, and is sometimes 
 tempted forth by a mild day in winter. The long 
 eared bat (Plecotus communis) which has relatives 
 both in Southern Europe and Northern Africa, finds 
 a home in the caverns and catacombs of Citta Vecchia. 
 The Norway rat and common mouse are certainly 
 by no means extinct. 
 
32 
 
 The marine Mammalia are the Monk Seal (Phoco 
 Monachus), the porpoise, and one or two species 
 of the whale tribe. Specimens of this cetacean are 
 occasionally found stranded, as was the case not 
 long ago near the General's Rock in Gozo. The 
 dolphin Delphis tursio is abundant but being natu- 
 rally timid does not often approach the shore. The 
 fishermen meet with it at a distance of some six 
 miles from the coast. 
 
 Mules and asses which are employed to tread 
 out corn, and are yoked with cattle in the fields, 
 are of large size, and the Knights of St. John set 
 great store by a superior breed of these animals, 
 called Janets, which were formerly often exported 
 to America and elsewhere. A few specimens worth 
 about 20 may still be seen in Gozo. The live 
 stock, including some 6000 cattle number about 
 25,000. There are two well marked sorts of cattle. 
 One is a large, fawn-coloured, bony animal, which 
 was evidently formerly very powerful, though at 
 present of a very degenerate type. The cows, which 
 are frequently used in the cultivation of the soil, 
 give but little milk and often produce two calves 
 at a time. 
 
 The Barbary ox is a smaller animal, which is 
 generally imported from Africa in a lean condition, 
 but after being stall-fed for a short time on green 
 barley and clover or at other seasons on bruised 
 pulse, or barley mixed with bran, and plenty of 
 
33 
 
 the fat producing cotton seed, he quickly gains 
 flesh, and is speedily converted into beef. At 
 certain seasons these animals are fed entirely on the 
 leaves of the prickly pear which gives a very peculiar 
 flavour to their flesh. The horses of Malta which are 
 barbs, are being greatly improved by the introduction 
 of English and Australian blood. They have the 
 character of giving the colt-breaker some trouble. 
 Sheep and goats are exceedingly prolific, ewes some- 
 times bringing forth as many as four lambs at a 
 birth. From the scarcity of pasture, mutton is not 
 of the best quality, and both sheep and goats have 
 greatly degenerated. They are the chief milk-produ- 
 cers, a good goat giving as much as two quarts 
 at a time. In Valletta the goat-herd leads his 
 bleating animals, whose udders are of unusual size, 
 from door to door for the supply of customers. Cheese 
 is made from the milk of the sheep, more especially 
 in Gozo. 
 
 The Greeks and Roman.s set great store by 
 Maltese dogs, and Aristotle describes them as being 
 small but beautifully proportioned. Timon says that 
 the Sybarites used to take little Maltese dogs with 
 them when they went to the bath. These animals 
 had long silky hair, and are described by Buffon 
 under the name of Bichons, as being a cross between 
 the small Spanish terrier and the little barbet. 
 Malitheus after Aldrovandi who wrote a very good 
 description of this species gives it the name of 
 
34 
 
 Canis familiaris Meliticus. It is now almost if not 
 quite extinct. It was remarkable for the very slight 
 affection which it evinced for its master. Plenty 
 of loudly barking dogs are however still to be met 
 with, but several cases of hydrophobia having been 
 reported the police have of late cut short the life 
 of many a cur. 
 
 Sir W. Reid whilst Governor of Malta re-organized 
 the Economico-Agrarian Society for the improvement 
 of the breeds of domestic animals, and for the 
 general advancement of agriculture. This Society 
 has done good service by holding annual Agricul- 
 tural Shows at the Boschetto on the popular festival 
 of S. S. Peter and Paul (June 29th), at which 
 prizes are given for the best animals and farm 
 produce. The same useful Society also holds an 
 annual Flower Show at the Upper Barracca in 
 Valletta, at the same time maintaining there a 
 pleasant garden which is a deservedly popular resort, 
 and much frequented both by residents and visitors. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 OBSERVED IN MALTA AND Gozo. 
 
 Ornithologists. Periodical Migrations. Influence of 
 Winds. Malta in Spring. Indigenous Birds. Feathered 
 Visitors. Winter Birds. 
 
 THE following outline has been gleaned from 
 the" Notes of a Naturalist" by Dr. A. L. Adams, 
 " Malta Past and Present ;> by the Revd. H. Seddall, 
 and the exhaustive catalogue of Mr. C. A. Wright^ 
 to which with other kindred works such as the 
 <c Repertorio di Storia Naturale " of Dr. Gulia, Mr. 
 W. Grant's " Birds found in Malta" and the lists 
 given by the Marquis Barbaro-Crispo and Sig. Schem- 
 bri reference should be made. 
 
 Mr. Wright's original list contained: "Raptores, 
 28 ; Insessores Dentirostres, 57; Insessores Conirostres, 
 33; Insessores Scansores, 4; Insessores Fissirostres, 13; 
 Rasores, 9; Grallatores, 64; Natatores, 47. He has 
 since added 14 other species making a total of 
 267. He says: "Only 10 or 12 species, are resident, 
 that is remain with us all the year round, Malta 
 
36 
 
 being merely a resting place for birds in their peri- 
 odical migrations across the Mediterranean. The 
 arrivals of birds chiefly take place at the period of the 
 vernal and autumnal equinoxes." The ornithologist 
 must be on the alert from the middle of March till the 
 end of April, and also during the autumn migration 
 which is known as " the great passage." " Occasional 
 visitors appear during the winter months, and a 
 $ew in summer. Birds generally arrive and leave 
 at night, and do not usually remain more than one 
 day, thus giving little opportunity of studying their 
 habits. Some species however remain a few months 
 on the island, and several of them breed here 
 en-route for Europe, whilst flocks chiefly of Grallatores 
 and Natatores may be seen passing high in the ai r 
 without alighting." 
 
 <e The influence exerted by the wind over these 
 migrations is no doubt very great. In spring, the 
 quails and most of the short-winged and smaller 
 birds, and such as are of weak flight, though not unfre- 
 quently arriving in calm weather, generally appear 
 during the prevalence of winds from the N. N. 
 W. to S. S. W., and in autumn with those from 
 the S. S. E. to N. N. E., being probably stopped 
 in their migratory course, and driven to seek rest 
 on our shores." Dr. Adams is of opinion that a 
 strong sirocco or north wind and dense sea-haze 
 cause the quail to come upon the island unawares. 
 <( Sometimes a fresh breeze springing up from any 
 
3? 
 
 point will bring with it numbers of the smaller 
 brids; and if it increase in strength the larger 
 birds and those of stronger flight will also make 
 their appearance. But there appears to be no 
 rule for birds strong on the wing, which arrive 
 under all circumstances of weather and with winds 
 from all points of the conlpass." 
 
 Mr. Wright continues : " It is more especially 
 in spring that in the rocky "wieds" we find the 
 bright coloured Bee eaters, Orioles, and Boilers shel- 
 tering themselves from boisterous winds, while the 
 dense foliage of the Carob trees and Orange groves 
 serve them and many others for shade and roost- 
 ing places. At this season the Harriers scour the 
 rocks and corn fields; the Quails crouch amongst 
 the tangled stalks of the crimson Sulla; the Larks, 
 (Alauda braehydactyla) , hover over the rocky wastes, 
 covered with the aromatic Thymus Capitatus ; and 
 the numerous thickets of prickly pear (Cactus o- 
 puntict), fig, and pomegranate trees provide resting 
 places for Warblers. The air is perfumed by thous- 
 ands of wild flowers ; here and there rises a tall 
 palm ; and the Arab houses, language, and origin 
 of the inhabitants indicate, despite Acts of Parlia- 
 ment and a European fauna, Malta's alliance with 
 Africa and the East." 
 
 The Revd. H. Seddall says that the indigenous 
 species comprise only the Jackdaw, which breeds 
 iu cliffs and the fortifications of Valletta; the Blue 
 
38 
 
 Solitary Thrush,, a lover of rocks and solitude; the 
 Spectacled Warbler, generally to be found in the 
 Military Cemetery at Floriana ; perhaps the Robin, 
 the Herring Gull, and the Kestrel, which breeds in 
 cliffs and fortifications. To these may be added 
 the Barn Owl, which breeds in ruined walls near 
 Valletta and the Three Cities, the Rock Pigeon, 
 which rears its young on the southern shores and 
 at Filfla, with the Cinereous and Manx Shearwa- 
 ters, and the Storm Petrel, which also select 
 the same localities for their domestic establishments. 
 Fort Manoel Island, the Marsa, the Salini, Marfa, 
 etc., are spots loved by the ornithologist. 
 
 The Egyptian Vulture is a rare visitant, but the 
 Imperial, Spotted, Short-toed, and Golden Eagles, 
 together with the Osprey are sometimes shot. The 
 Rough-legged and Honey Buzzards feed on lizards 
 and small birds. The Common and Black Kites are 
 very rare. The Maltese call the Marsh Harrier, 
 Bu-Ghadam or "the father of bones," naming the 
 Hen Harrier Bu-ghadam abiad or "the white father 
 of bones." Montagu's and the Pale -chested Harriers 
 are also seen in March and September. Numerous 
 hawks pause in Malta during the spring and au- 
 tumn, such as the Sparrow Hawk, Little Red-billed 
 Hawk, Falco larbatus, the Peregrine and Eleonora Fal- 
 cons, the Lanner, Goshawk, Hobby, Orange-legged 
 Hobby, Merlin, Kestrel, and Lesser Kestrel. 
 
39 
 
 Of the family of the Owls we have the Barn 
 Owl, which breeds in the battlements of Valletta 
 and the Three Cities, with the Sparrow, Scops, Short, 
 and Long- eared varieties. The Wryneck locally known 
 as "the King of the Quails," or " the Father of 
 Crouchers" is one of the earliest visitors in spring 
 and autumn, at which seasons the Cuckoo is also 
 common. The Great Spatted Cuckoo is very rare, 
 as are also the Crossbill, and Bullfinch. 
 
 The Vinous and Scarlet Grosbeaks are winter 
 visitants, and we must not forget the Serin, Green, 
 and Hawfinches, or the Spanish, Tree, and Eock 
 Sparrows. The Finches are the Chaffinch, Bramble 
 Finch, and Siskin, which is often crossed with the 
 Canary by the native bird-fanciers. A few Linnets 
 breed in Malta, but of the Buntings the Girl, Mea- 
 dow, Reed, Snow, and Black-headed varieties are 
 rare, whilst the Common and Ortolan species, the 
 latter of which loves to bathe in rain water upon 
 the rocks, are not uncommon. The beautiful Gold- 
 en-crested Regulus is somewhat rare, as is also the 
 Fire-crested species. The Book pays us a visit, the 
 Jackdaw is a resident, the Magpie and Sardinian 
 Starling have been shot, and the Common Starling 
 is numerous during the autumn and winter. The 
 Eose-coloured Pastor arrives at irregular intervals. 
 The Swallow and its relatives must not be 
 passed over. They are the Common, Eufous, and 
 Eock Swallows, the latter species being perhaps 
 
40 
 
 resident in Gozo. Also the House and Sand Martins, 
 wifch the Common and White-bellied Swifts. The 
 Night-jar, Gaprimulgus Europoe-us is shot and snared 
 in large numbers for the table, but the Rufous- 
 necked Goat Sucker, Gaprimulgus Ruficoilis is rare. 
 
 The Spotted, Pied, and White-necked Fly-catch- 
 ers arrive and depart in spring and autumn, and we 
 see the Grey, Great Grey, and Lesser Grey Shrikes; 
 the Woodchat Shrike known as Bu-Ghiddiem or 
 the "Father of Biters" being much more common. 
 The Red-backed Shrike is not unknown. 
 
 The Skylark and its congeners, the Crested, 
 Wood, Short-toed, Cream-coloured, and Calandra 
 Larks are more or less numerous, whilst of the 
 Pipits we have the Richard's, Tawny, Meadow, Red- 
 throated, Tree, Rock, and Water varieties, together 
 with White, Grey, and Yellow Wagtails. 
 
 The Golden Oriole visits the islands regularly 
 in spring. This most beautiful bird is exceedingly 
 fond of the fruit of the Nespoli or Japanese 
 medlar. The Blackbird, Great Titmouse, Ring Ouzel, 
 Song, and Missel Thrushes swell our list of birds 
 at the spring and autumn migrations. A few Fieldfares 
 are caught every year in January, and the 
 Redwing appears at irregular intervals. The Rock 
 Thrush pays us a flying visit twice yearly, and 
 next to the Nightingale the indigenous Blue Solitary 
 Thrush is prized for its song. It is remarkable 
 for its attachment to the locality in which it has 
 
41 
 
 been brought up. High prices are often paid for 
 good songsters, and the Maltese often suspend a 
 piece of red cloth and a cowry shell in the cage, 
 which they consider a certain specific against the 
 "evil eye"! 
 
 The Common, Russet^ and Eared Wheatears 
 visit us, as do also the Winchat, and Stonechat. The 
 Nightingale, together with numerous Warblers and 
 other small birds is taken in nets which are thrown 
 over a low spreading carob tree selected for the 
 purpose, the birds being driven from other trees 
 into it. 
 
 The Redstart together with the Black variety, 
 and the Robin deserve mention. The Hedge Sparrow 
 is rather rare, as are also the Blue-throated Warbler, 
 and Blackcap. The Garden Warbler is sometimes 
 brought to market to the number of a hundred 
 dozen at a time. It is the far-famed beccafico of 
 the Italians. We can only enumerate the White 
 Throat and Lesser White-throat, with the Orphean, 
 and Subalpine Warblers. The Spectacled Warbler 
 is a resident, and haunts the Military Cemetery at Flo- 
 riana. The Maltese call the Black-headed Sardinian 
 Warbler Ghasfur tal maltemp or "the bird of bad 
 weather/' The Dartford, Willow, Wood, Bonelli's 
 and Vieillot's Willow Warblers are all found upon 
 these shores. 
 
 The Chiffchaff bears the name of Bu-fula, or 
 " the Father of a Bean." The Sedge Warblers are 
 
42 
 
 three in number, viz., the Common, Rufous, and 
 Great varieties. The Reed, Savins, Moustached, and 
 Eiver Warblers are all catalogued by Mr. Wright. 
 The Hoopoe which is said to breed in great num- 
 bers in Tripoli, the Roller, a bird which occasionally 
 makes a nest in some ruin, and which English- 
 men sometimes call "the Blue Jay," and the two 
 Bee-eaters, which are shot by the score at one dis- 
 charge, are amongst the most beautiful of our fea- 
 thered visitants. 
 
 It is said that the Kingfisher sometimes breeds 
 here, but the Wood and Stock Pigeons do not. The 
 Rock Pigeon rears its young in considerable num- 
 bers on the southern shores of the islands, and also 
 at Filfla. The Turtle Dove, strong on the wing, 
 is caught in large numbers in platform nets by 
 the aid of the hooded decoy birds. For a full ac- 
 count of this sport see Mr. Wright's list before 
 referred to. Dove catching is a thoroughly clerical 
 amusement in Malta, The natives are good marks- 
 men, and are very skilful in luring birds by imita- 
 tions of their notes. The Pintail Sandgrouse comes 
 now and then, and the Quail is the principal game 
 of the sportsmen of Malta. Fifty or sixty brace 
 may be shot in a day, but ten or fifteen brace 
 are ordinarily a very good bag. Some quail are also 
 caught by imitating the call-note of the female, and 
 so drawing the males, which are the first to arrive, 
 into nets spread on the standing corn. 
 
43 
 
 The Bustard, Little, and Buffed Bustards are 
 rare, as is also the Cream-coloured Courser which 
 the natives call the English Plover, but the Thick 
 Knee may be almost considered resident. The Golden 
 Plover, Dotterel, Ringed, Little Kinged, and Grey 
 Plovers are common, and visit the islands regularly, 
 but the Kentish, White-tailed, Asiatic, Golden, and 
 Spur-winged Plovers are more or less rare. The 
 Oyster Catcher is only an accidental visitor, but the 
 Collared Pratincole and the Lapwing arrive and 
 depart year by year. 
 
 Common and Numidian Cranes are sometimes 
 seen, and Common, Purple, White, Squacco, and 
 Buff-backed Herons, together with Egrets, pass and 
 repass, as do also the Bittern, Little Bittern, and 
 Night Heron. White and Black Storks, and the 
 Spoonbill are alike rare, but the Glossy Ibis, Cur- 
 lew, Whimbrel and Slender-billed Curlew, are re- 
 gularly seen and shot during the spring and autumn. 
 The Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits are not 
 common, but the Greenshank, Redshank, and Spot- 
 ted Redshank are more so. 
 
 Sandpipers are often observed. We may men- 
 tion the Marsh, Wood, Green, Common, Bartram'"s, 
 and Curlew varieties, together with the Sanderling, 
 which last occasionally finds its way to our shores. 
 Ruffs, Great, Common, and Jack Snipe, as well as 
 Woodcocks are fairly abundant at the periods of 
 migration. The Knot is rare, but the Dunlin an.4 
 
44 
 
 Stint are common, though Temminck's Stint is much 
 less so. The Turnstone and Avocet are somewhat 
 rare, but the Stilt is more frequently met with. 
 The crimson-winged Flamingo which is so abundant 
 upon the inland waters of Barbary is merely a acci- 
 dental visitor. The Water Rail which the Maltese 
 call the Winter Rail is not very common, but the 
 Corn, Spotted, Baillon's and Little Crakes are in 
 some years fairly abundant. The Water Hen> Coot, 
 and Crested Coot, are not uncommon, nor are the 
 Skua and Pomarine Skua quite unknown. 
 
 Of the Gulls the Lesser Black-headed, Herring, 
 Audouin's, Common, Kittiwake, Slender-billed, Adri- 
 atic or Mediterranean, Black or Brown-headed, and 
 Little varieties hover above and around us. The 
 Terns are represented by the Sandwich, Common, 
 Lesser, Black, Whiskered, and Gull-billed species. 
 The Cinereous aud Manx Shearwaters which are 
 amongst our indigenous birds rear their young among 
 the cliffs of the southern shores of Malta and Gozo, 
 at Filfla, and at Comino, allowing themselves often- 
 times to be taken whilst sitting on the nest. To 
 the Storm Petrel we have already alluded. The 
 Cormorant and Pelican are by no means regular in 
 their visits, and the Bean Goose seldom makes any 
 stay with us, usually flying high over head, as do 
 also the Hooper and Mute Swans. A flock of the 
 last named noble birds was however seen in the 
 Quarantine Harbour on December 23rd, 1865. 
 
45 
 
 The Common and Ruddy Shieldrakes bead the 
 list of the genus Anas, of which the Shoveller is 
 one of the most common, the Mallard being also 
 a winter visitor. The Pintail Duck and Gadwall come 
 only occasionally, but the Widgeon, Teal, and Summer 
 Teal are seen in larger numbers. The Pochard, 
 and the Tufted, Red-crested, Whistling, and White- 
 headed Ducks are scarce, but the Nyroca Duck is 
 perhaps the commonest Duck that visits the islands. 
 The Red-breasted Merganser, Smew, Red-throated 
 Diver, the Crested, Horned, Eared, and Little Grebes, 
 with the Guillemot and Puffin close our list. 
 
 Dr. Adams says: r" To the ornithologist there 
 is not much variety in the fields in midwinter. 
 Among the crops of cacti, (0. Op.untia), a solitary 
 song thrush or blackbird is occasionally seen; from 
 the dike -top the ringing note of the bunting, ( E. 
 mil aria), the chirpings t of the reed sparrow from 
 the house-top, robin, and the chiff-chaff utter their 
 well-known call-notes. A few song larks, and a 
 solitary pied or grey wagtail are occasionally observed; 
 but of all the midvyinter tenants of the fields the 
 tit-lark is the most plentiful. A stoneohat, or the 
 white-fronted redstart hops along some stony lane, 
 whilst small flocks of chaffinches are seen among 
 the tree tops. About this season of the year, when 
 the northern blasts blow strong, and the gregale 
 lasts for three days at a time, there may appear 
 such accidental visitors as the fire and golden- 
 
46 
 
 crested wrens, pelican, crossbill, fieldfare, missel- 
 thrush, rook, etc; but many of the early winter 
 birds push southward by the middle of Jannuary, 
 as soon as the fields have been ploughed, and the 
 crops are getting up. If there is one pleasant re- 
 miniscence more acceptable to my memory than ano- 
 ther, it is those happy winter days, when I used 
 to crawl along the beetling cliffs of Emtahleb and 
 its neighbourhood fossil-hunting, with the blue 
 thrush, serin finch, linnet, and spectacled warbler, 
 singing sweetly among the olive trees below me. " 
 
47 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 REPTILES, 
 
 / 
 
 DR. GULIA has published a complete list of 
 the reptiles existing in Malta in II Barth, a medical 
 and scientific journal of which he was the editor* 
 The common Land Tortoise or Fecruna ta V ard is 
 not used as food, although its flesh is palatable. 
 The common Turtle or Fecruna tal Bahar is often 
 taken by fishermen. 
 
 Lizards are plentiful enough especially the Wall 
 Lizard or Gremxula, which changes its colour with 
 ease. Strange to say, all the lizards on the islet rock 
 of Filfla are of a beautiful bronze black, a colour 
 not to be found on the mainland. The Gongylus 
 ocellatus or Ocellated Skink, which the natives call 
 Xahmet V ard or " the fat of the earth" is a smooth, 
 slippery, fat reptile, with a skin like a snake's and 
 vary short legs. It grows to the length of 8 or 10 
 inches, and lives under large stones. The Ascal- 
 obotes Mauritanicus or Italian tarantola is called in 
 Malta Uizgha Seuda, and the name of Uizgha is 
 given to a small ugly house-infesting lizard. The 
 
48 
 
 bones of a large fossil lizard were found by Dr. 
 Adams at Benghisa. Only two species of snakes 
 are indigenous, both of which are quite harmless. 
 They are the Coluber viridiflavus which the Maltese 
 call Serp or Ghul, and the Spotted Snake or Lifgha. 
 These snakes are plentiful but timid, sometimes 
 attaining a length of 23 inches. According to native 
 tradition St. Paul banished all venomous snakes 
 from Malta, as St. Patrick did from Ireland, and 
 the saliva of persons born on the festival of the 
 Conversion of St. Paul is said to be efficacious in 
 the cure of snake bites, as are also St. Paul's earth, 
 and the Terra SigiUata Melituce. 
 
 The Painted Frog which croaks in numbers in 
 the pools, in the aqueduct at the Marsa, and some- 
 times in brackish water was formerly fried and eaten 
 on fast days, and was also given in the form of 
 soup to sick children. 
 
 In addition to the list of reptiles by Dr. Gulia 
 already referred to, see also Dr. A. L. Adams' 
 "Notes of a Naturalist,'\and "Malta Past and 
 Present. " 
 
49 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 ALTESE I CHTHYOLOGY. 
 
 Books of Reference. Methods of Fishing. Finny Resi- 
 dents and Visitors. Fishery Regulations. 
 
 The following remarks are for the most part 
 translated and abridged from the admirable "Ten- 
 tamen Ichthyologise Melitensis" of Dr. Gulia, who 
 has most kindly given me every possible assistance. 
 Carsten Niebuhr a Danish naturalist was the first 
 to publish a list of Maltese fishes in 1775, compiled 
 by Giorgio Locano, which described some 116 species^ 
 and in 1838 Sig. Gaetano Trapani compiled a cata- 
 logue in which he enumerated 157 different species. 
 Dr. Gulia in 1861 made mention of 186 species, 
 belonging to 108 genera, and 47 natural families. 
 The markets should be visited in the early morning, 
 and at the fishing port of Migiarro in Gozo many 
 curious specimens may be met with. Fish are 
 fairly abundant and cheap. Their colours are more 
 gorgeous, but their flavour is inferior to those 
 caught in more northern latitudes. The hand line 
 lenza, and the wicker pots naose, the large seine 
 
50 
 
 xarpa, and the small seine tartarun, together with 
 the trammel parity the casting net teriha, the long 
 handled fish spear foxna-, and the rod are all em- 
 ployed by the fishermen. The latter is most successful 
 after a gregale. Fishing with a white feather below 
 which is a hook whilst sailing briskly is often amp- 
 ly rewarded. The Lampuca a large species of 
 Mackerel is caught by this means, and also by long 
 lines with almost countless hooks, cuttle fish being 
 used as bait. 
 
 The Sea Lamprey or Kalfat famed for activity 
 is seldom caught, being deficient in flavour. Malta 
 can boast of two varieties of the Murasna (Marina), 
 of exquisite flavour, but of which the bite is dan- 
 gerous, viz., the very abundant and much prized 
 Murcena hcelena or Yellow-spotted Eel, and the Mu- 
 raena unicolor which is extremely rare. The Com- 
 mon Eel which the Maltese call Sallura is plenti- 
 ful. Four species of Conger Eel or Gringu inhabit 
 these waters. They are the Rock, Sand, White, and 
 Black Congers. The Sea Viper called here the Sea 
 Snake has good but indigestible flesh. Of these 
 gluttons of the sea the two former are edible, the 
 second being generally preferred. 
 
 Passing on to the family of the Clupeideae, we 
 note their commercial importance. The Anchovy is to 
 the Mediterranean what the Herring is to the north- 
 ern waters. This fish known in Malta as the In- 
 ciova is gregarious in its habits. With the excep- 
 
51 
 
 tion of the Bitter Anchovy the various species are 
 deservedly esteemed for the table. The Sardine, shoals 
 of which are caught in the fishermen's seines must 
 not be forgotten. The Salmo Fario or Salamun is 
 but rarely caught, and two species of fish which Dr. 
 Gulia classifies as Micromugil timidus and Micromu- 
 gil macrogaster are found in the aqueduct at the 
 Marsa, and round the shores of Malta. 
 
 Five species of the Scomberesocidae are met with, 
 amongst which are the Flying Fish or Rondinella, 
 the Sea Pike or Litza, and the Needle Fish or 
 Imsella. The Maroon or Ciaul is a favourite food 
 of the feline race. 
 
 The rock-haunting Wrasse or Tirda which be- 
 longs to the family of the Labridae often repays 
 the patience of the angler. Dr. Gulia has done 
 much to classify the different species of Wrasse, 
 and to his most interesting treatise the lover of 
 ichthyology is referred. We must not fail to men- 
 tion the Scarus Creticus or Martzpan, renowned of 
 old in story, which Epicarmus in the fifth century 
 before the Christianera, said was a dish for the Gods. 
 From its beautiful colours it has been styled the 
 Parrot of the Sea. It was formerly somewhat rare 
 on these shores, but has of late been plentiful. 
 
 Of the Acantini we have ten or eleven species, 
 most of which are edible. The Galera or Ballottra 
 tar-ramel, is the Ophidium barbatum, and is the only 
 species of this genus found in our waters. It is 
 
52 
 
 neither very abundant nor highly esteemed for the 
 table. 
 
 The Gadideae or Cod family are somewhat nu- 
 merous, and are represented by some four or five 
 varieties. These are the Pecorella or Ballottra, the 
 Merluzzo or Marloz, and the two varieties of the 
 Lipp or Sea Tench. The famous Eemora or Pesci 
 Tmun, with its curious sucker must be included in 
 our list. 
 
 Of the Pleuronectideae or Flat- Fish Dr. Gulia enu- 
 merates four species as belonging to the fish of 
 Malta. The Rhombus Laevis or Barbun is the most 
 plentiful. The Rhombus Maximus or Turbot is very 
 rare. Two kinds of Sole are also caught, the com- 
 mon variety being styled by the natives Linguata. 
 The Order of the Acanthopteri furnishes many a 
 dainty for the table. 
 
 The Trachini or Weever Fish, which it is said de- 
 rive their name from their tenacity of life, are repre- 
 sented by three varieties. They are edible, but are justly 
 dreaded by the fishermen on account of the wounds 
 inflicted by their dorsal fins. Hence the great Weever 
 is often called by English fisher folk the Sting-Bull. 
 The Percideae or Perch family are numerous- The 
 Basse or Spnotta is rare, but is a very handsome 
 fish. Apogon rex mullorum or Beardless Mullet which 
 is much esteemed by eaters of fish, really belongs to 
 this family. The Kock Cod or Cerna, and the 
 Thorny Perch or Hanzir grow to a large size, 
 
53 
 
 &nd inhabit deep water, whilst other varieties are 
 caught not far from shore. The Sea Perch is highly 
 recommended to convalescents as being easy of 
 digestion. 
 
 The Red and Yellow- striped Mullets or TrigUe, 
 the former of which loves the rock, whilst the 
 latter prefers the inud, are well known fish. Six 
 species of the mullet are mentioned by Dr. Gulia. 
 Of the Triglidiae eleven species swim in our seas, 
 including the beautiful Flying Gurnard, called by 
 the Maltese Falcun or Bies. 
 
 The Sow*fish and Sea Scorpion are nutritious, 
 but another variety of the same tribe which inhabits 
 deep waters is but lightly esteemed. 
 
 The family of the Sparideue, can boast of 17 
 species, amongst which we may especially note the 
 Vopa or Boops. The fishermen love the fish of 
 this family well. 
 
 The migratory Scombriedae or Mackarel which 
 are plentiful at all seasons muster in great force, 
 and are of immense value to the dwellers on the 
 shores of the Mediterranean. The Pilot Fish is 
 foolish, and tenacious of life, but no delicacy. The 
 four varieties of the Tunny are with one exception 
 deservedly and highly prized, and the Sword Fish, 
 albeit of no great size is not to be despised. The 
 Lampuca is an autumn visitant most welcome to 
 the fishermen, but the oily Turkish species is rare, 
 as it prefers Sicilian waters. The Bonito is a great 
 
54 
 
 delicacy, but the Plain or Striped variety is rarely 
 
 eaten, nor is the Horse Mackarel highly thought 
 
 of. The John Dory or Pesci San Pietru deserves 
 
 mention. 
 
 The Cepolideae are represented by the Bed and 
 White varieties of the Snake Fish, and by Trachy- 
 pterus Spinoloe which last was caught at Marsa- 
 sirocco in 1871. 
 
 The Blenny tribe is not of any great value 
 as food, and two varieties of the Sea Devil or 
 Petricia are caught, together with two several kinds 
 of Hippocampus or Sea- Horse. 
 
 The Plagiostomi are numerous. One of the 
 varieties of the Scyllideoe is the Catfish, which is 
 very plentiful, but its flesh has a disagreeable odour, 
 which is only partially removed by being steeped 
 in water. The poorer classes eat it, and its native 
 name is Kattus. The Lesser Spotted and the 
 Black Mouthed Dog Fish are caught. 
 
 The Pesce Cane or Penny Dog which whilst 
 young is called the Miller Dog is common, the 
 female producing from 60 to 80 young every year. 
 The Blue Shark which the Maltese style the Sea 
 Dog is still more ferocious. 
 
 The White Shark is the most terrible of his 
 tribe, but is fortunately a somewhat rare visitant. 
 
 The Lamna cornubica or Smeriglio which some- 
 times attains the length of 24 feet is edible, but 
 
55 
 
 woe to any hapless mariner on whom his cruel jaws 
 may close ! 
 
 The Sea Fox or Fox Shark is rare and of 
 singularly cunning habits. The Grey, Smooth, and 
 Picked Sharks may be mentioned, together with the 
 Shark Ray, Balance Fish, and Saw Fish. 
 
 The Rays nine in number, such as the Cramp, 
 Thornback, Spotted, Sharp-nosed, Sting, and Eagle 
 varieties are voracious, and lovers of darkness. They 
 have been compared to the birds which seek their 
 prey by night. Edible themselves, they are terrible 
 fish slayers. 
 
 Fishery regulations and a close season have 
 lately been established, to the no small benefit of 
 the fisheries, which were fast becoming impoverished. 
 
56 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ENTOMOLOGY. 
 
 Beetles. Cockroaches, Locusts, and Grasshoppers. 
 Dragonflies etc. Bees, Wasps, and Ants. Butterflies and 
 Moths. Parasites. Flies and Gnats. Scorpions, Spiders, 
 etc. 
 
 IT was reserved for Dr. Gulia to publish th e 
 first, and as yet, the only standard work on insects 
 found in Malta and Gozo. Mr. Leach in 1832 
 collected numerous specimens, which he sent to 
 the London Zoological Society, but his lamented 
 death from cholera at Genoa prevented the publi- 
 cation of his intended work. In 1857 under the 
 auspices of Sir W. Eeid, who was then Governor 
 of Malta, Dr. Gulia delivered a course of entomo- 
 logical lectures to a class of students at the 
 Palace of St' Antonio, which he afterwards published. 
 These he has most kindly allowed me to use, and 
 from this source the following pages are drawn. 
 
 Three varieties of the Tiger Beetle are met 
 with, of which Oicindela littoralis and C. hybrida 
 love the [sand, whilst C. germanica, which is only 
 half the size of the other two, prefers herbage. 
 
57 
 
 Passing on to the Carabidce we have the voracious 
 Calosoma sycopkanta, C. indagator, Carabus granulatus, 
 Carabus laevigatus, Procrustes coriaceus, and numerous 
 varieties not as yet classified. 
 
 In stagnant pools dwell Gyrinus fontanalis and 
 Dytiscus circumflexus. Of the Burying-Beetles, known 
 in France as Boucliers we have two varieties Silpha 
 sinuata and S. obscura* 
 
 Several species of the Scarabaeus form part of our 
 list, of which Bubas bison is not very common. The 
 name of Bukuar is locally given to three species 
 collectively. The Horned Beetle is the largest 
 insect of the order which we possess, the Stag 
 Beetle is rare, but the Tumbler Dung Beetle abounds 
 in the fields, and the Cockchafer must not be 
 excluded. 
 
 The Barbary-bug or Busuf is terribly destructive 
 when fruit-trees are in flower. The Rose-chaffer is 
 here called Ghaur or the Digger, and we have also 
 the swift Rove Beetle. Buprestis tenebricosa, B. dis- 
 coidea, with B. viridis and several other species are 
 well known, as is also the Glow-worm or Musbih 
 el-leil. 
 
 The Darkling Beetle or Hanfusa together with 
 a smaller variety is found in moist spots, and the 
 Field Beetle or Hanfusa Tar-raba is everywhere 
 plentiful. The Meal Beetle is a pest to millers and 
 storekeepers, and at least two species of Blister 
 Beetle, one of which is found on the blossoms of 
 
58 
 
 the Chrysanthemum, have been observed. The Soft 
 Beetle or Dliela endangers the lives of animals that 
 inadvertently swallow it. Pea, Kice, and Grain Weevils 
 are unwelcome guests, the Lixus parapleticus is 
 hurtful to horses when swallowed, and Brachycerus 
 undatus and barbarus, of which negro women make 
 necklaces and amulets are common. 
 
 The Golden Beetle specially loves the cat-mint, 
 and we have also the variety called in France the 
 Gilded Harlequin, not to mention others. The Crio- 
 ceris asparagi has been seen in Gozo. Lady-birds 
 called Dud ta 1'iscola are plentiful. 
 
 The Orthopteri those scourges of industry abound 
 in these islands. We have the Black, Eed, and 
 German Cockroaches, the latter being small and 
 rare. Three species of Mantis or Walking Leaves 
 bear the name of Debba ta F Infern. Two of them 
 are Mantis oratorio, and Mendica. Eed, Blue, and 
 Green Grasshoppers swarm, and the Migratory Lo- 
 cust sometimes threatens us with its destructive 
 visits. In 1850 a swarm passed over the eastern 
 portion of the island, doing damage at Casal Zab- 
 bar and at Wied el Ghain, and covering the sea 
 with their bodies. The Mole Cricket is also very 
 hurtful to the crops, the Field-Cricket proverbial for 
 stupidity utters its shrill note in summer, and we 
 have two varieties of the Long-headed Grasshopper 
 
 the Bar-wig. 
 
59 
 
 The Neuropteri are here named Mazzarelli. May- 
 flies, Dragon-flies, two varieties of the Ant-lion, A- 
 grion puella, Oalepterix virgo, with one species of 
 (Eshna, Lestes, and Chrysopa, sum up this class of 
 insects. 
 
 The Wild-fig and Oak-leaf Flies which are better 
 known as Gall-Flies, and the Ruby- tailed Fly all 
 dwell in Malta. The female Urocerus Gigas stings 
 sharply. The Blue Bee or Nahal Baghli, the Spot- 
 ted Bee, the Mason Bee or Nahal Bennei, the Hive 
 Bee or Nahal, P the Nomada bi-fasciata and N. uni- 
 Jasciata are all Maltese insects, as are also several 
 kinds of wasps, such as the Sand Wasp or Baghal, 
 Vespa Ichoris, V. Grecorum, and Polistes gallica. 
 Sphex spirifex is fond of grapes, and Scolia j)avi- 
 frons is very common. 
 
 To the Ant the Maltese give the name of Ne- 
 meL Two kinds of Eed Ants, the Turf Ant, and 
 Formica herculanea dwell here. The winged Ants 
 are called Sultan el nemel or King of Ants. 
 
 Caterpillars have the local name of Duda tal 
 Farfett, the chrysalis being styled Fosdka, and the 
 butterfly Farfett. The Cabbage and Turnip Butter- 
 flies are common, and in the caterpillar stage do 
 much mischief. We may enumerate Rhodocera Rham- 
 ni, R. Cleopatra, Vanessa Atalanta, the Swallow 
 Tailed Butterfly, here called the Rue Butterfly, or 
 Farfett tal Feigel from its preference for that plant, 
 the Queen's Page, or Papilio Podaliurus, Ochsenhu* 
 
60 
 
 meria Cardui, Golias Edusa, C. Lesbia, Polyomat- 
 us Phloeas, and the beautiful P. Argus, which the 
 Italians call Hundred Eyes. 
 
 The Humming-bird Hawk Moth or Bahria is 
 sometimes called the Pigeon's Tail Sphinx. The 
 Death's Head Moth is called Farfett el Meut or 
 Eas el Meut. The Humming - bird Hawk Moth is 
 looked upon as the harbinger of bad news, whilst 
 the sight of the two varieties of the Eed News- 
 monger is considered a happy omen. The Convol- 
 vulus Moth feeds upon the Convolvulus whilst in 
 the Caterpillar stage. 
 
 A solitary specimen of Saturnia pavonia major 
 has been caught. The Mulberry Silkworm called 
 Dud or Farfett tal harir has been reared here for 
 centuries, and Sir "W. Reid when Governor introduced 
 the Palma Christi species called Duda tal Harir 
 ta Riccinu. 
 
 Clothes Moths are destructive, and other species 
 spoil quantities of grain. Deiopeia pulcliella is seen 
 at eventide. 
 
 Two kinds of cicala feed upon the sap of 
 trees and plants, and Aphidae or Brighet-tas-sigiar 
 are numerous on the centaurea, bean, oat, cabbage, 
 etc. Indeed every plant seems to have its parti- 
 cular aphis. Scale insects including the cochineal va- 
 riety are likewise not wanting. The latter however does 
 not thrive in Malta. Would that we could say the 
 same of Black, Green, Wild, and Bed Bugs, with 
 
61 
 
 other pests such as Flies and Gnats ! The Common 
 and Meat Flies, the former of which is called 
 Dubbien and the latter Dubbiena tal Laharri, have 
 many friends such as Musca meteorica, M. ster cor aria, 
 M. pumulionis, and others. Gnats, Sand-flies, and 
 Gad-flies tease and sting, the latter depositing their 
 eggs beneath the skins of sheep and oxen, whilst 
 the Conops or Horse Wasp called Xidia is troublesome 
 in damp weather, The usual parasites infect men 
 who love not soap and water, and badly tended 
 animals. Although not coming under the head of 
 insects, we may here make mention of the Scorpion 
 or Imkass, from one to two inches in length found 
 under stones in the valleys, but which never seems 
 to harm any one, together with the Water Scorpion 
 or Imkass ta V Elma, and also the Scolopendra or 
 Xini Esfar, the Gally-worm or Hanex ta I/ Endeua^ 
 the Centipede or Xini ta I/ Endeua, and the Wood- 
 louse or Hanzir ta V Art. 
 
 Numerous Spiders are also to be met with, 
 amongst which we must not forget the Geometric 
 Spider, or Brimba tas salib, the Dancing Spider, 
 or Brimba tal Meut, several kinds of Hunting 
 Spider, known as Brimba ta Sakajha Tual, and the 
 Tarantula Spider or Trenta. 
 
 The Earth Worm is of course plentiful, but 
 the Revd. H. Seddall says: 
 
 " Of Tube Worms and other Annelids I have 
 met with but few species, and these of no remarkable 
 
62 
 
 beauty, with the exception of the Sabella, which 
 
 may frequently be seen on a calm day in the 
 
 Quarantine Harbour, with its double spiral of ten- 
 
 taculse projecting from its leathery tube of eight 
 
 or ten inches in length. They live well in an 
 
 aquarium." 
 
 Much more could be added did space permit, 
 but every entomologist should not fail to study for 
 himself Dr. Gulia's most interesting and able treatise. 
 
63 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 LF^USTACEA, 
 
 THE Crustacea of Malta have been admirably 
 classified by Dr. Gulia and for his list of them see 
 page 314 of the first volume of "II Earth." The 
 Revd. H. Seddall also enumerates numerous species 
 in an appendix to his book " Malta Past and Pre- 
 sent/' but it is from Dr. Gulia's list that, with his 
 kind permission and assistance the following facts 
 have been gathered. 
 
 The Long-legged Spider Crab about an inch in 
 length is plentiful, as are also the Four-horned and 
 Spinous Spider Crabs. The common Shore Crab 
 loves the mud, and the Swimming Crabs are repre- 
 sented amongst others by the Cleanser, Velvet, and 
 Wrinkled varieties, all of which are useful as food. 
 Land crabs abound in brooks, and in fresh water at 
 the Marsa, Gneina, etc. They are often converted 
 into soup on fast days by poor people, who in 
 consequence suffer from diarrhoea. The Common 
 Pea Crab is very rare, but the Pinna variety is 
 fairly abundant, as are also the Angular Crab, the 
 
64 
 
 Death's-head Crab excellent in soup, the Turk Crab, 
 or Granc tat toroc, and the Sea Cock or Serduk 
 el bahar, a gigantic mollusc of a dark claret colour 
 with an internal shell. 
 
 The Hermit crabs number eight varieties, and 
 are plentiful. The Pacjurus Prideauxii which loves 
 the anemone so well, is not as common as the 
 other varieties. 
 
 The Hairy Porcelain crab is abundant, but not 
 so the minute variety. The White and Rough Craw- 
 fish, and the Spiny Lobster dear to epicures be- 
 sides other varieties are common in the markets. The 
 Common and Banded Shrimp, and the Common Prawn 
 must not be omitted. 
 
 The Phyllosomidae have but one representative, 
 and Squilla mantis known as Cicala Baida also stands 
 alone. The Fishing or Shore Worm is used as bait 
 for fish of the Sparus tribe. Its English name is 
 the Sea Slater. Three species of Wood-lice are met 
 with. Several varieties of Water Fleas, three or four 
 kinds of Cowries, one of which Cypris Pubena has a 
 horny bivalve shell like a mollusc, and the active Cyc- 
 lops vulgaris may be mentioned. 
 
 To quote the Eevd. H. Seddall once more. 
 <( Many of the crustaceans may be taken with a 
 common dip or landing net from the rocks and 
 quays by drawing it through the seaweed: others 
 by dredging the beds of Zostera in the bays or 
 
65 
 
 harbours. Marsascala and Mareasiroeco are good lo- 
 calities. Others can only be taken in the large fish 
 and lobster baskets called nasse, which are laid 
 down in deep water by the fishermen/' 
 
66 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 OLLUSCA. 
 
 Authorities. Edible Mollusca. Eock Shells, Whelks, 
 and Cone Shells. Turret, Wreath, and Ear Shells. Snails, 
 Echini, and Mussels. Brachiopoda and Pteropoda. 
 
 THERE is in the Public Library a large col- 
 lection of Malta shells which should be examined 
 by any one who feels an interest in this branch of 
 Natural History. Captain Spratt R. N. and the 
 Revd. H. Seddall were amongst others, zealous col- 
 lectors, and in an appendix to his well known work 
 "Malta Past and Present," the latter has given much 
 useful information as to the places which will best 
 repay a search. In the first volume of the Medi- 
 cal Scientific Journal "II Earth" there is (p. 193), 
 the first portion of a classification of the terrestrial 
 and aquatic mollusca of these islands by the Cav. 
 Luigi Benoit and Dr. Gavino Gulia. It is much 
 to be hoped that the remaining portion will ere 
 long see the light. 
 
 The late Sig. G. Mamo, in the course of 47 
 years collected in the Maltese islands and adjacent 
 
67 
 
 seas 438 species of Mollusca. His collection of which 
 after his death, Dr. A. A. Caruana published a ca- 
 talogue in 1867, comprised "Acephala or bivalves, 
 145; Tunicata, 6; BratMopoda, 9; Pteropoda, 8; Ga- 
 stropoda, 259; (of which 42 inhabit land or fresh 
 water); Cephalopoda, 9; Heteropoda, 1. This valuable 
 collection was fortunately retained in Malta, and has 
 ever since been of great use to all lovers of Nature, 
 Sir William Reid, who was then Governor of Mal- 
 ta, having purchased it for the small sum of 30^ 
 for the Public Library. 
 
 Many Mollusca are here used as food, espe- 
 cially by the poorer classes, such as the Helix as- 
 persa known in Malta as Okal'mxa. With the ex- 
 ception of the musk- poly pus and the paper nauti- 
 lus, all the cephalapods found hereabouts including 
 two varieties of the octopus, and several of the cut- 
 tle-fish are eaten. The gasteropods likewise increase 
 our supplies of food, and many a univalve is highly 
 appreciated, as are also numerous bivalves. Marine 
 molluscs have a more delicate flavour in summer 
 than in winter, but care must be taken not to eat 
 those taken from copper sheathing, those which at 
 certain periods become unwholesome, those which 
 are of an unusual colour, those which do not shut 
 spontaneously, and those which have been caught 
 more than 12 hours in summer and 24 in winter. 
 
 The family of the Muricidae or Rock Shells 
 is represented by several varieties, which have a 
 
68 
 
 special affection for the weedy bottom of the Bay 
 of Marsasirocco. Murex brandaris is locally known as 
 Sultan el Beccum, or the King Beccum, Murex 
 trunculus being styled simply Beccum. Both of these 
 are abundant and edible, and some think that it was 
 from them that the ancients obtained their world 
 famous purple dye. It is however the opinion of 
 Dr. Gulia and other competent authorities that 
 Purpura Hawiastoma supplied the dye in question. 
 The edible Fusvs lignarius is somewhat common, 
 and is called Gharus or Sigromblu tal bahar. The 
 Maltese call the sea " Bahar." 
 
 The Buccinidce or Whelks have numerous re- 
 presentatives, which are found in very large numbers 
 at Marsasirocco, in the harbours of Valletta, and 
 indeed everywhere. Specimens of Nassoe- are most 
 abundant in the Great and Marsamuscetto Har- 
 bours. 
 
 Of the beautiful Cone Shells Conns Medi- 
 texraneus which the Maltese call Sgorra is abundant. 
 Pleurotoma septangularis may be met with at Marsa- 
 cala, Chercheua, and St. Julian's. The rarer P. 
 multilineata haunts Marsascala. 
 
 Four species of Mitra and three of Marginella 
 are common upon the sands. Cipraea lurida of 
 the Maltese name is Bahbuha is very common, as 
 is also C. spurca, but C. pyrum is very rare. Threa 
 varieties of Natica are numerous, edible, and knosvn 
 by the name of Ghakrux el bahar or 
 
69 
 
 snail." The genus Cerithium is represented every- 
 where, and adds to our food supplies, preferring 
 shallow waters with a sandy bottom* Its repre- 
 sentatives are popularly styled Brancutlu. 
 
 The Turret Shells can boast of a Scalaria, and 
 two species of Vermetus, one of which bears the 
 name of Farrett, are tolerably common in the Great 
 Harbour. Litorina neritoides is plentiful all along 
 the shore, and also upon the stones and sides of 
 the brackish canal at the Marsa, and several vari- 
 eties of Rissoa will be found at Marsascala, San 
 Tommaso, and Bir-zebbugia. Hydrobia uluoe is com- 
 mon amongst seaweed, as is also Neritina viridit. 
 The pretty Wreath Shells are also numerous. We may 
 note Phasianella speciosa with its two varieties, 
 one almost entirely red, and the other milk white. 
 The Top Shells or Carriers are common both as. to 
 living and fossil specimens. Of the Ear Shells 
 Haliotis tuberculata is eaten by the Sicilians. Its 
 Maltese name is Mhara Imperiala. It- is found 
 everywhere attached to stones in deep water. Jan- 
 ihina bicolor is rarely taken except at St. Julian's 
 Bay. 
 
 Several varieties of limpets are eagerly collected 
 for the table, their Maltese name being Mhara, 
 and the Crepidula unguiformis known as Papocc 
 or "slippers" represents the Calyptraeidae, as the 
 Xifa tal bahar or "sea-thread" does the Tooth Shells. 
 Chiion cajetanus abounds in the Great Harbour. 
 
70 
 
 Numerous indeed are the Helicidae. No fewer than 
 nineteen species of the true snails are met with. 
 The Helix aspersa called Ghakruxa ta V art (earth- 
 snail) or Bebbuxa ragel (male snail) is eaten by 
 the poorer classes. The Moghza or black snail, the 
 ravages of which are justly dreaded by the farmer 
 is a Sicilian dish. The prolific Nagbgia or female 
 snail and the egg snail are also wholesome. Helix 
 gaulitana is found at Marsa-el-Forn and on the 
 General's Rock in Gozo. Amongst the Clausitia, 
 we must mention C. DeUcatae and C. Mamotica, 
 the first of which is only found at St. Paul's Bay, 
 and the second in Gozo. Physa meUtensis disports 
 itself in fountains and aqueducts, and Oyclosfoma 
 Melitense is very common under stones in uncul- 
 tivated grounds. 
 
 Bulla liydatis commonly styled Baida tal Bahar 
 or Sea Egg abounds in the bays of Marsascala 
 and Cercheua. 
 
 Several species of oysters are obtainable, and 
 in 1866 oyster beds were formed in various places, 
 but without much success. The Rev. H. Seddall 
 says "Five species of Pinna are found in Malta, 
 some of them common in the harbours within 
 reach of a pole or boat hook. They project from 
 the mud amongst the Zostera roots to which they 
 are attached by their silken cable. Of this silk 
 which is of fine texture, but heavy, I have seen 
 gloves made/' 
 
71 
 
 The Mussel, or Masclu is found everywhere, and 
 also the Pholas dadylus or "sea date." Its native 
 name is Tarala baida or "white date." A Maltese 
 author says that "nature in her bounty to her 
 favourite people of Malta has made even the very 
 stone upon the sea -shore to become pregnant, 
 from whence we draw the delicious sea date." 
 
 It is found in soft limestone below water. 
 One of the two varieties has a white, and the 
 other a brown shell. The latter is highly phos- 
 phorescent. 
 
 Area barbata called Fardocclu or Spardocclu, 
 found on submerged rocks is the most savoury of 
 its tribe. The edible Cockle or Arzel loves the 
 muddy bottom, five varieties of Lucinidae, ten of the 
 genus Venus and nine Tellmidae may also be noted. 
 Mr. Davidson has described some of the Brachiopoda, 
 but many others still await examination and classi- 
 fication. "Terebratula vitrea and T. caput serpentis, 
 with five species of Orthis have been taken in deep 
 water off the islands. Eight species of Ptero- 
 po(/a, of the genera Hyalana, Cleodora, and Odon- 
 tidium" are included in Dr. Caruana's catalogue of 
 Sig. Mamo's collection, to which, together with 
 other previously mentioned works the reader is 
 referred. 
 
72 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 ZOOPHYTES. 
 
 / 
 
 THE Zoophytes of the Mediterranean will well 
 repay the careful student, who will here find a wide 
 and comparatively unexplored field of labour. No 
 naturalist has as yet written a full, accurate, and 
 minute description of the lower forms of Maltese 
 animal life. Dr. Gulia who has kindly aided me, 
 has devoted much careful attention to this and 
 other departments of Natural History, and the publi- 
 cation of the results of his observations is a thing 
 greatly to be desired in the interests of science. 
 
 Fishermen and others meet with rare and 
 beautiful zoophytes, but, ignorant of their scientific 
 value, consign them to the deep, or throw them 
 upon the rocks to die. About four varieties of 
 sponge grow in the harbours and in deep water- 
 It is as yet uncertain whether a fifth variety can 
 be claimed as belonging to Gozo, or whether it is 
 but a waif and stray from Sicilian waters. A 
 gregale brings on shore numerous sponges, seaweed, 
 and other marine treasures, amongst which we 
 may note the Portuguese Man of War, Cesium Vene- 
 ris etc. 
 
73 
 
 The Eev. H. Seddall to whose work " Malta 
 Past and Present" reference should be made, says: 
 "Zoophytes of many species are easily found in 
 the rock pools, and growing on the quays of the 
 harbours. Of these Anthea cereus is by far the 
 most common, with its long and finely coloured 
 tentaculae, which are not contractile within the mantle 
 of the animal as in the true anemones (Actinia)." 
 No fewer than seventeen kinds of anemones 
 may be met with, the scarlet variety of Actinia 
 wesembryanthemum being not uncommon round the 
 rocks in sheltered pools. Sertularia, Flustra, Goryo- 
 nia, Gelepora, Lepralia, Garyophyllia, with many 
 other genera are represented. Amongst the Chelen- 
 terata we must mention Pelagia noctilica, which is 
 now and again phosphorescent, especially during a 
 storm and at night. Rhyzostoma pulmo must not 
 be forgotten, nor the remarkable Charybdia marsu- 
 pialis so named from having on the abdomen a 
 curious purse, which is by some supposed to be a 
 food receptacle. Porpita mediterrunea strews the 
 beach at Marsascala after a gregale. 
 
74 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 * * 
 
 AGRICULTURE AND PRODUCTIONS. 
 
 Maltese Soil. Cotton, Land Tenure, and Agricultural 
 Implements. Corn, Sulla, and Potatoes. Carouba Trees, 
 Fruits and Vegetables. Figs, Oranges, Grapes, etc. 
 
 IT is fortunate for the agriculturist that the 
 Maltese islands are composed of soft rocks which 
 readily disintegrate. Still farming in Malta and Gozo 
 is a battle and victory of labour. The 114 square 
 miles comprised within the insular area are partly 
 barren rock, and in many respects a geographical 
 riddle. Cultivation has asserted its sway over 54,716 
 acres, the remainder being sterile rock. Ow r ing to 
 the absence of trees and shrubs, the soil of Malta, 
 which is most erroneously said to have been im- 
 ported from Sicily, contains but little vegetable 
 matter. Plenty of rich alluvial earth which has 
 been washed down from higher levels by the semi- 
 tropical rains is found in the valleys. In other 
 places the surface rock has been removed, and 
 the fragments built up into walls to hinder the 
 washing away by the rains of the earth, which is 
 found below the surface rock in beds of not more 
 than a foot or eighteen inches in thickness. Many 
 
75 
 
 fields have thus been formed and brought under 
 cultivation. Since the English have occupied Malta 
 many more animals have been reared, and land has 
 in consequence been more heavily manured. The 
 porous rock below the surface retains a valuable 
 amount of moisture, and heavy dews somewhat sup- 
 ply the want of rain in summer. The cultivation 
 of cotton is thought to have been first introduced 
 by the Phoenicians, and the Carthaginians made Mal- 
 tese cotton cloths famous in distant lands, on ac- 
 count of their whiteness and substance. Under the 
 Greeks agriculture flourished, the weaving of cotton 
 prospered, and the bee-keepers of Malta were re- 
 nowned throughout fcih civilized world. Lucretius 
 Cams and Silius Italicus sing in immortal verse of 
 the fabrics of Malta, Diodorus Siculus speaks of 
 " cloths remarkable for their softness and fineness/' 
 whilst Cicero lashes Verres, in no measured terms 
 for his interference with the local traffic in cotton, 
 Under Arab rule agriculture received a check, but 
 on the arrival of the Norman deliverer Count Rog- 
 er, lauds were re-divided, and the farmer again 
 began to grow wheat and cotton. In 1525, the 
 islands were "unfit to grow corn and other grains, 
 maintaining only a population of 12,000 inhabitants, 
 who lived by exchanging honey, cotton, and the 
 aromatic cummin for the more substantial necessar- 
 ies of life." In 1687 Gozo produced a large 
 amount of cotton, and wheat and barley sufficient for 
 
76 
 
 three months' consumption, importing annually from 
 7000 to 8000 quarters of grain, and sending many 
 cattle to the sister-island. In 1801 the value of 
 the raw cotton produced in Malfca was about half 
 a million sterling. The Civil War in America gave 
 a considerable impetus to the cultivation of cotton, 
 and the crop amounted to more than three hund- 
 red tons, but the invention of new machinery and 
 the competition of Egyptian cotton have of late 
 years caused prices to decline. Both the white and 
 dark nankeen varieties are cultivated. The seed is 
 sown at the end of April, the plant flowers in 
 August, and the crop is gathered in September. 
 Cotton thrives well, is sown as a second crop, pro- 
 vides seed for fattening cattle, gives employment 
 to numerous families, and is principally cultivated 
 near Citta Vecchia, Zebbng, Siggieui, Zeituu, Lia, 
 Balzan, and Tarxien. Land in Malta belongs to 
 the Church, the Government, and about 2000 pri- 
 vate individuals in almost equal proportions. The 
 farms are often let on lease for 4 or 8 years, and some- 
 times longer. Government leases are usually for a 
 longer period than others, and waste open spaces 
 have been largely sold to tenants for small sums, 
 to be brought under cultivation. The implements in use 
 are truly primitive, and may almost be styled Ad- 
 amitic. Ploughs, which are of the most simple 
 construction, can be carried home on a man's shoulder, 
 and are drawn by cows, asses, oxen, or mules. The 
 
77 
 
 English plough is not suitable for this rocky soil, 
 and the tillers of the land reject with a smile more 
 costly and highly finished implements. 
 
 The harrow is also of a most original type, and 
 not unfrequently branches of trees are dragged over 
 the fields as a substitute. A large hoe is often em- 
 ployed, and in rocky soils the pickaxe is found use- 
 ful. The land is never permitted to lie fallow, and 
 the marvellous patient industry of the Maltese far- 
 mer overcomes all natural obstacles, and wins from 
 the soil a return of from 12 to 40 or even sixty- 
 fold. Wheat, the harvest of which suffices for 3 
 or 4 months' consumption is sown every alternate 
 year with barley and clover, in November, and is 
 reaped in June. Barley ripens a month earlier. Cot- 
 ton, melons, cumrnin, sesame, etc., follow. If any 
 signs of exhaustion of the soil appear, peas, beans, 
 maize, etc., are substituted for barley. Melons de- 
 generate in Malta. Dr. Gulia introduced the Can- 
 taloupe of Paris with but slight success, but has 
 succeeded in naturalizing the Cantaloupe of Valpa- 
 raiso in the Botanic Garden, the second year's seeds 
 being as good as those originally imported. The 
 crimson flowering Sulla or clover adds greatly to 
 the beauty of the landscape. It is the French hon- 
 ey-suckle or Hedysarium coronarium, grows to the 
 height of from three to five feet, and produces 
 about 190,000 loads per annum. The Economico- 
 Agrarian Society, which was re- organized by the late 
 
78 
 
 Sir W. Reid lias conferred great benefits on the 
 tillers of the soil. The annual yield of cummin, which 
 is valued at about 2,200, and which is mostly 
 exported, averages from 70 to 80 tons. Malta has 
 two crops of potatoes per annum, which produced 
 some years ago about 800 tons. Increased atten- 
 tion has of late been paid to this useful vegetable. 
 English potatoes degenerate after the second year. 
 The kidney variety has been most successfully grown, 
 and bids fair to supersede all others, as the pro- 
 duce though less in quantity commands double prices. 
 Many sacks of potatoes are annually exported. 
 
 Market gardening has somewhat diminished in 
 extent since the appropriation by the public aque- 
 ducts of many of the springs, but is still an important 
 branch of industry. The carouba tree is abundant, 
 growing on rocky soil, and its dark foliage is a 
 conspicuous feature in the landscape. It attains a 
 considerable size, and its seed-pods and leaves are used 
 for feeding cattle and horses. Poor people also 
 eat the seed- pods, which when baked, are said to 
 be not unpalatable. Tanks and cisterns are to be 
 found in almost every field and garden, and are 
 indispensable to the gardener or agriculturist. The 
 ornamental plants of Malta are very beautiful and 
 abundant. Amongst them we may enumerate roses, 
 which speedily assimilate to the Maltese type, a- 
 nemones, violets, hyacinths, geraniums, the vanilla, 
 jessamine, tuberose, heliotrope, oleander, and many 
 
79 
 
 others. Strawberries, figs, peaches, pomegranates, 
 apricots, grapes, apples, pears, nectarines, plums, 
 melons, and prickly pears, are amongst the fruits, 
 as are also the orange, lemon, and nespoli or Ja- 
 panese medlar. Vegetables of various kinds are 
 abundant and cheap. The prickly pear which is the 
 product of the Ficus Indicus is largely consumed^ 
 and the cactus on which it grows, and of which 
 four varieties are cultivated, might well be largely 
 used for fences, as the Opuntia Maydia is in many 
 parts of Sicily. Only Nice can surpass Malta, which 
 is in truth the modern Garden of the Hesperides, 
 for oranges, and that only so far as one or two 
 varies are concerned. The fi^-tree of which several 
 varieties are cultivated in Malta, is justly prized 
 on account of its juicy and abundant fruit. The 
 first fig which is called "baitra ta San Junn," or 
 "St. John's fig" ripens towards the end of June, 
 on the 24th of which month is the feast of St. 
 John. This fig is of large size, and is succeeded 
 by other varieties, which ripen towards the latter 
 end of July. To prevent the premature fall of the 
 fruit, and with the idea of hastening its ripening 
 the process known as caprification is employed. 
 
 A cluster of wild figs is suspended amongst 
 the branches of the cultivated variety by means of 
 a plant Ammi majus called on this account Dakra, 
 the wild fig-tree bearing the name of Dokkara. 
 Numerous diptera (Oynips) become covered with 
 
80 
 
 the pollen, and convey it from one fig to the other. 
 
 The oranges of Malta which are largely ex- 
 ported are justly renowned. They are in season 
 from November till April, and of the ten varie- 
 ties here cultivated, the egg, blood, and mandarin 
 are the most highly esteemed. The latter is a fa- 
 vourite with the Mandarins of the Celestial Empire; 
 hence its name. Oranges, lemons, and other fruits 
 to the amount of 100 tons are annually exported. 
 Two specimens of each variety of the orange, whe- 
 ther imported or native, are carefully tended in 
 the Botanic Garden, and cuttings may be had on 
 application. Grapes are cheap. They speedily become 
 watery, perhaps sowing to unskilful cultivation, with 
 the exception of the delicious Pine-Apple and Fin- 
 ger varieties, which thrive well at St. Antonio. 
 
 During the government of Sir H. C. Ponsonby, 
 the tobacco plant was successfully introduced, but an 
 attempt to naturalize the cochineal insect proved a fail- 
 ure, for want probably of the proper species of Opun- 
 tia for the support of the insects. Many mulberry 
 trees were destroyed some years ago. Silk of excel- 
 lent quality can be readily produced, but financial re- 
 sults proving unsatisfactory, tbe rearing of silk-worms 
 as an industrial occupation has been abandoned. 
 
 The best thanks of the auther are justly due to Dr. Gavino 
 Gulia, Dr. Cousin, Dr. Vassailo, Sig. G-. A. Pulis, and others 
 who have most kindly given him much valuable assistance. 
 
Z& 
 
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