MR. BTJNBUEY ON THE BOTANY OF MABEIEA. 9 



from the central range, projects from E. to W. almost across the 

 valley. The circumstances are therefore exceptional. As a 

 general rule, the native forests characterize the northern face of 

 the island. 



evergreen 



awful grandeur 



luxuriance 



They 



principally composed of four species of Laurel : the Til, Laurus 

 {Oreodaphne) f ceteris \ the Vinhatico, Laurus (Persed) Indica; the 



Barbusana. All 

 picturesque growt 



Webb and Berth. ; and the Laurus (Phoebe) 



Old trees 



with rugged and cavernous 



fine objects as any trees I have ever seen. These two species pre- 

 dominate in the woods of the Serra d'Agoa valley, while the Lau- 

 rus Canariensis, which likewise grows to a very large size, is the 

 prevailing tree in those of Ribeiro Frio and the Metade. Another 

 beautiful tree of these forests, but a less abundant one, is the Pol- 



Cflethr 



mock-poles and walking-sticks. The undergrowth consists mainly 

 of two Heaths, Erica scoparia and arborea^ and the Madeira Whor- 

 tleberry, Vaccinium padlfolium^ Sm.f ; with Hypericum grandifo- 

 lium^ and a profusion of Ferns. The Urica arborea grows really 

 to a tree, and a very picturesque one, but I did not myself see m 

 Madeira any specimens of it as large as some in the wood of Agua 

 Garcia in TenerifFc. All the old trees in the Madeira woods are 

 most beautifully draped with ferns (especially Davallia Canariensis 



■) 



Ferns. This 



is deserved chiefly by the northern side of the island, which, 

 owing to its wild and wooded condition and von^ moist climate, is 

 indeed a choice situation for tliese beautiful plants. The southern 

 side, more exposed to the sun, may perhaps have always been less 

 suited to them ; and the destruction of the woods, and extensive 

 spread of cultivation, have left comparatively few localities favour- 

 able to their growth. On the northern slope they grow in sur- 

 prising profusion. In all the ravines which intersect that coast 

 we see them clothing the rocks and shady banks, the roots and 

 trunks of trees, the margins of the innumerable rapid streams, 



The joujig Btcms of the Vinhatico liave a very smooth bark, but that of 

 the old trunks is peculiarly rugged and knotty. 

 t T'' Maderense^ DC. 



