384 Bai'on Von Buch's Observations on Madeira, Sfc. 



a precipice facing towards the north, a magnificent spring, as 

 copious as a rivulet, and rushing violently. It was carefully in- 

 closed with a wall. Its temperature was 5°. 75 R. (7°.25. C, 

 45°. F.) The top of it, and likewise of the whole surrounding 

 declivity, was in no place covered with snow. ^The spring had 

 the temperature of the interior, and reminded us of the tempe- 

 rature of northern climates. Vaccinium arctystapTiyllos creeped 

 up the declivity upon the north side, but did not reach the sum- 

 mit ; and, in our farther progress towards the height, it was no 

 longer visible. The rocks above the spring rose to the height 

 of 4849 feet above the sea. 



The fog was now so dense, that we could not see a few 

 steps before us. Even in this darkness, however, we ven- 

 tured to climb still higher; for, being placed upon a sharp 

 ridge, with vast and precipitous sides, we were in little danger, 

 as long as it continued, of wandering in a wrong direction. 

 When we reached the first continued snow, the barometer shew- 

 ed an elevation of 5148 feet. The ridge now turned suddenly 

 from its former westerly direction, and ran from north to south, 

 forming a large projecting bastion, surrounded with horrible 

 and inaccessible precipices. The snow lay far down on the 

 declivity. The highest peak was now not far distant, for even 

 amidst this darkness it was distinguished by the pyramid of 

 stones erected upon it, and which rose through the surrounding 

 snow. The barometer was fixed on this pyramid, and carefully 

 observed ; and the height of the peak, which is called Cima de 

 Tourigas, was, by this mode of measurement, found to be 5484 

 French feet. 



{To he Continued.) 



