here predominates, and may give its name to the -region ; ferns
( acrosticha) are occasionally mixed with it, but abound according
to locality. In it, we find the fagus ccistanea, flourishing according
to situation; in the ravines it is most luxuriant, while in the
exposed parts of the hills it is stinted and solitary, but no where
confined to streams“.
The third region, ascending to 5600 feet, is more complicated
than the others, being more influenced by locality; it may best
be termed the region of Vaccinium and Laurels. On ascending
the peak of Ariero to the summit, we find the former shrub forming
large thickets on the side next the Courai, while on the other,
exposed to the sea, the vegetation is confined to graminea and
erica ; the latter of which only now and then grow to the size of
trees. Thejuncus starts up in very considerable quantities, on the
same side with the vaccinium. On the Poul, (which is on the
western side of the island, and, within a few feet, as high as the
peak of Ariero) the same vaccinium abounds in thickets of small
trees, which confirms me in giving its name to the region; and as
vegetation is more luxuriant on this side of the island, more
variety presented itself, the vaccinium predominating, and continuing
to abound to the summit. In this region we find (besides the
juncus above mentioned) the thymus, stahelina, sonchus, ferns of
various genera, nepeta, ilex, taxus, erodium, digitalis, with various
small composite, fyc. The laurels (which I also consider as characterizing
this region, especially the lower part) grow to a very
large size on the western side of the island, while, on the eastern,
“ We also find Graminece, very abundant in the less exposed situations ; the Ver-
bascum, Solix rubra, Agaricus, a small portion of Erica; Composite, Mentha (abundant),
Digitaiis, Rubus (in great quantities), Solana, Rosa, Fuschia, Ruxus, (the three
last have probably strayed from gardens) Capsicum, Hypnum, and Lichens, all
growing, spontaneously. The Pinus sylvestris has been successfully cultivated in
the lower part of the region.
they do not attain the height of the vaccinium, and are by no
means large. On the top of Ariero, I found two or three solitary
plants of the little viola odorata, in the most exposed situations:
on the western side of the island, which is the most sheltered, the
clethra formed large trees, and the digitalis grew at their feet. I
have thus mentioned the clethra separately, because I believe it to
be nearly peculiar to the peak of Ruivo, at the height of this
region. Travelling directly eastward, (where the soil is composed
of a deep red earth, containing more alumine than the ordinary
red tufa, where vegetation is more scanty, and loses all that rich
variety which is found to the westward) we find the broom prevailing
at 2000 feet above the sea, and dwarf vaccinia, mixed with
broom, heath and bramble, on the downs near the Pilgrimage
House of Antonio de Serra (about ten miles from Funchal), which
are not more than 2500 feet above the sea, but comparatively
close to it.
The fourth, and last region, about 6000 feet high, is formed by
the upper part of the peak of Ruivo, and consists of arborescent
erica, patches of graminea, and here and there a solitary fern.
There is no end to the varieties of the vine in Madeira, if you
listen to the cultivators, ho two of whom, however, agree in giving
the same name to the least important. I had no opportunity of
seeing the fruit, but have examined the leaves of the only varieties
which the cultivator thinks it worth while to separate; collecting
them from different vineyards, and comparing them carefully, so
as not to be deceived in the names, which a person may easily be
without this precaution. The juices of the verdelho, negro molle,
bastardo, bual, and tint a0, are commonly mixed together, to pro-
D The verdelho leaf has seven lobes, the sinuses of which are not strongly marked;
it js of a dark green, buit perfectly bald ; the two lowest lobes are very indistinct.
That of the negro mode has five distinct lobes, the two lowest closing, but not' adhering,
over the stalk; the sinuses are deep and round, the dentations large and
Pa