1835.] Estramadura and the North of Andalusia. 353 



than the granite or tertiary beds. On the left bank of the 

 Guadiana we often look in vain for any trace of vegetable 

 soil. 



A fine thick herbage of aromatic labiatae, liliaceae and 

 asphodelece, growing from the vertical portions of the slate 

 and greywacke, affords pasturage during the winter and 

 spring to wandering flocks which pass across New Castile 

 to the sources of the Tagus. 



In May these plains are beautiful, but on the approach 

 of the heats of summer nothing is seen but a burnt surface, 

 destitute of trees and bushes, with the exception of a few 

 miserable oaks, whose wretched foliage only adds to the 

 dismal nature of the scene. At the bottom of the isolated 

 chains the case is different, for there vegetation flourishes, 

 and springs exist which nourish the fruit trees and oranges 

 as at Alcocer, Orellana, Castuera, &c. 



The mountainous parts of the transition formation are 

 well wooded, and are susceptible of good cultivation. 

 Between the granite formations of Albuquerque, Malpar- 

 tida, and Montaches, the surface is covered with cork trees 

 and other species of oaks ; but these trees are always at 

 such a distance that the intervals may be sowed with corn. 

 The inhabitants have no word expressing a wood or forest. 

 The other mountains which constitute half of the surface 

 of Estramadura, are covered with thick bushes, eight or 

 ten feet high, consisting of plants which form the ornament 

 of our gardens, as Cisti, especially Cistus ladanifer, Pistacia 

 lentiscus, Arbutus unedo the tree heath, whose root pro- 

 duces an excellent charcoal, Spanish broom, several 

 species of rhamni, the common myrtle which is frequent 

 near Pedroso, and the rose laurel in the bed of streams. 

 The Sierra Morena is covered with these plants, which give 

 to it the sombre appearance expressed by its name, (black 

 mountain.) The granite formation is more fertile than the 

 preceding, and supports a greater population. And, not- 

 withstanding the abundance of solid blocks which obstruct 

 the agriculturist, granite hills, as at Torremocha, are well 

 cultivated, and are ornamented with oaks whose acorns 

 supply food for flocks of pigs. 



In the same formation is situated Hinogosa, which enjoys 

 a fertility superior to that of Touraine and Normandy. 

 vol. i. 2 a 



