MB. BUNBURY ON THE BOTANY OF MADEIRA. 3 



and Camara dos Lobos ; its peculiarly light and lively yellow-green 

 colour makes it conspicuous even in a distant view. In that 

 situation it flowers in February. 



Two of the characteristic field-crops in Madeira are the Sweet 

 Potato {Batatas dozes, Convolvulus Batatas, L.?), and what is there 

 called the Inhame, or Yam, which is an Aroideous plant {Caladium 

 nymphceifolium ?) with beautiful large leaves of a peculiarly soft 

 and tender green. The Convolvulus thrives best in the lower and 

 more sunny region, below the elevation of 1000 feet : being easily 

 propagated, and yielding a large produce, it is of great value to the 

 inhabitants ; and, since the failure of the vine in particular, its 

 culture is said to have been much extended. The Caladium, 

 which requires a moist soil, is cultivated especially along the 

 margins of the torrents, and up to a considerable elevation on the 

 mountains. 



The culture of the Cactus, or Opuntia (0. Tuna, DC. according 

 to Mr. Lowe), has of late been much extended, and carried on with 

 new zeal, since hopes have been entertained that the rearing of the 

 Cochineal insect may prove a valuable branch of industry in Ma- 

 deira, as it has in Teneriffe. Whatever may be the success of this 

 speculation, it is certain that the plant thrives exceedingly in the 

 coast region of Madeira, where it is indeed so well established, that 

 it may almost be reckoned among the naturalized species. 



When, leaving the beautiful gardens of Funchal, I began to 

 search for the native vegetation of the neighbourhood, I at first 

 experienced considerable disappointment. This was partly, indeed, 

 owing to the season ; for the winter has a much more decided 

 effect on the condition of the vegetable world in that island, than 

 might have been inferred from its latitude. The profusion of 

 blossom in the gardens of Funchal, in December and January, is 

 indeed strikingly contrasted with the scantiness of wild flowers 

 at the same season ; In this latter respect, Madeira has little ad- 

 vantage over the south coast of France. Of the more peculiar and 

 characteristic, and unquestionably native plants of the island, very 

 few, comparatively, are winter flowerers ; most of those which are 

 to be found in blossom at that season are either evidently or pro- 

 bably naturalized. 



Besides, cultivation has extended so far around Funchal, and has 

 taken such entire possession of the soil, that one has far to go 

 before reaching any good botanizing ground. The sea-cliffs are 

 in most places inaccessible ; sandy shores (which in most warm 

 countries afford so many peculiar plants) there are none ; and in 



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