It is observed to me, that the
olive tree grows nowhere more than thirty leagues distant from that sea.
I suppose, however, that both Spain and Portugal furnish proofs to the
contrary, and doubt its truth as to Asia, Africa, and America. They are
six or eight months at a time, here, without rain. The most delicate
figs known in Europe, are those growing about this place, called _figues
Marseilloises_, or _les veritables Marseilloises_, to distinguish them
from others of inferior quality growing here. These keep any length of
time. All others exude a sugar in the spring of the year, and become
sour. The only process for preserving them, is drying them in the sun,
without putting any thing to them whatever. They sell at fifteen sous
the pound, while there are others as cheap as five sous the pound. I
meet here a small dried grape from Smyrna, without a seed. There are few
of the plants growing in this neighborhood. The best grape for drying,
known here, is called _des Panses_. They are very large, with a thick
skin and much juice. They are best against a wall of southern aspect, as
their abundance of juice requires a great deal of sun to dry it.
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