The heath is almost hidden, in places, by the large white flowers and
trailing stems of the sage-leaved Cistus. Delicate purple Ixias, and
yet more delicate Hoop-petticoat Narcissus, spring from the turf.
And here and there among furze and heath, crop out great pink bunches
of the Daphne Cneorum of our gardens, perfuming all the air. Yes, we
are indeed in foreign parts, in the very home of that Atlantic flora,
of which only a few species have reached the south-west of these
isles; and on the limit of another flora also--of that of Italy and
Greece. For as we descend into the glen, every lane-bank and low
tree is entwined, not with ivy, but with a still more beautiful
evergreen, the Smilax of South-eastern Europe, with its zigzag stems,
and curving heart-shaped leaves, and hooked thorns; the very oak-
scrub is of species unknown to Britain. And what are these tall
lilies, which fill every glade breast-high with their sword-like
leaves, and spires of white flowers, lilac-pencilled? They are the
classic flower, the Asphodel of Greece and Grecian song; the Asphodel
through which the ghosts of Homer's heroes strode: as heroes' ghosts
might stride even here.
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