The Handbook for Travellers in Spain Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ...barren palm yield a considerable profit by their leaves, which are used for the processions and decorations of Palm Sunday. The trees from which tho supply is taken are bound up to keep the leaves white. Vines, pomegranates, madder and green crops are cultivated below the palms: the whole is irrigated by the copious streams of the Vinalopo river, and the artificial lake situated 3 m. off. Elche supplies palms to Barcelona, Alicante, and other towns. The ancient Roman house of the Marquis of Lendines has a very large t Tho Moors made use of the male dust long before Linnjeus discovered the sex of plants. The custom is still followed in Elche of depositing the pollen artificially on the female palms. Moorish media tuna let into its wall. The marquis is pleased to show to visitors his collection of coins and other antiquities, most of which have been excavated in the neighbourhood, and are well arranged. Here was found in 1861 a beautiful mosaic of Galatea, in blue and orange. Leaving Blche, the rly. traverses an extensive plain to 47 m. Alicante. (Ete. 123.) ROUTE 123. MADRID TO ALICANTE, BY VILLENA. 285 m. (Bail.) From (235 m.) La Encina (Junction) Stat. (Ete. 120) the rly. winds among ravines to 248 m. Villena Junct. Stat. (11,400). The tortuous streets contain several ancient family mansions with armorial shields. The church (1498 to 1511) is remarkable for the very effective and original treatment of its spirally-fluted columns.f Ely. to Alcoy (Ete. 124.) 257m. Sax Stat., beyond which a grand Castle rises finely on its conical hill. 259 m. Elda Stat. The country is wonderfully fruitful. The hills abound in aromatic plants, so much esteemed amongst the Moors in olden times, that even now their descendants occasionally come over from...