18 HOLL ON THE PLANTS OF MADERA. 
This is the favourite food of the inhabitants, and, therefore, very 
much cultivated; whole ship-loads are brought to the city 
from the little places on the Island. The bulbs are very 
large, and of a sweeter taste than ours. Aloe vulgaris, Dec. 
Dracena Draco, Linn. This tree is said to have been formerly 
very plentiful, but has been exterminated on account of the ex- 
cellence of its wood ; I only found five trees, at various places, 
on the southern coast.— OncniDEx.*Orchis longibracteata, Bi- 
von. I only detected one single specimen with Lowe, who once 
also found Satyrium diphyllum; but this helost.—ScrrAMINEE. 
Musa paradisiaca, Linn. Several of these Plantains are seen 
growing at almost every cottage, being greatly valued on 
account of their fruit, which is esteemed an agreeable food, as 
well raw as roasted. When the tree has once borne fruit, it 
dies down; but many shoots arise up again from the root, and, 
therefore, no other labour is required than to gather off the 
fruit, and cut down the old trees; on one stem are frequently 
found 60 or 80 fruits,so that a man hasasufficient burden in car- 
rying two bunches of fruit. — PALME E. Cocos nucifera, Linn.— 
Taxes. Myrica Faya, Ait.—STROBILACE. Pinus Pinea, Linn. 
Cupressus glauca, Lam. Both these trees were first introduced 
from Portugal, and only grow near the country-houses. Pinus 
suffrutica, that Bowdich is said to have seen, does not grow on - 
the Island.—AMENTACES. Salix vitellina, Linn. Castanea’ 
Vesca, Gertn. forms beautiful woods in the interior on the 
north side, even to an elevation of about 3000 feet. Quer- 
cus pedunculata, Willd.—Urricex. Urtica urens, Linn. 
Parietaria Maderensis, Reichb. Ficus Carica, Linn.; the 
dried fruits are so small and bad, that they are imported 
from Portugal. ArisroLocuiEm, Aristolochia longa, Linn. 
—LauniNEX. Laurus Indica, Linn.; particularly in the 
interior, up to about 3000 feet elevation. The wood, which 
is like mahogany, is employed in various works. It is called 
by the inhabitants Vinhatico. L. fætens, Ait. L. Canariensis, 
Willd.—VaLERIANEZX. Centranthus ruber, Dec. Fedia 
olitoria, Vahl.—Rupiacez. Phyllis Nobla, Linn. Sherardia 
arvensis, Linn. Galium minutiflorum, Brot. G. aristatum: 
