340 Dr James Miicaulay ott the Fhysical co g raphy^ 



of Funchal, and generally under similar cultivation. Among 

 the vineyards are every where interspersed orchards of orange, 

 lemon, almond, and other fruit trees ; and a great variety of 

 . vegetables are cultivated, chiefly for the supply of the city. 

 Among these are observed the following : Convohulus edulis, 

 the batata, the tuberous roots of which are much used by tho 

 peasants ; Allium cepa, garlic, of which the Madeiranese arc 

 great consumers ; the churches, and other places of public re- 

 sort, being always redolent with its odour ; Sechium edule, 

 choo-choo, a species of gourd, the fruit of which, when boiled, 

 much resembles our " vegetable marrow ;" the Dioscorea, or 

 Tamnus edulis^ yam ; and many others. The beds of tho 

 rivers, and moist places, are covered with an arum, the Gala- 

 diuin nymphccifolium^ and with the Arundo donax, which is 

 tended for the making of trellis-work for the vineyards. There 

 is also some corn, wheat, and barley ; and here and there 

 patches of sugar-cane, which was formerly the prevailing pro- 

 duce of the island.* 



The difference between the north and south sides of tho 

 island is, in every respect, very remarkable. In crossing from 



* The Portuguese chroniclers relate, that, at the time of the discovery of 

 the island, its whole surface was covered with laurels, dragon-trees, cedar?, 

 and other forest trees. The first colonists burnt great part of this wood, in 

 order to clear the surface for cultivation. The gi-eat Prince Henry of Pcr- 



• tugal, whose enterprise and genius in devising and directing maritime dis- 

 coveries, were excelled only by his sagacity and judgment in applying thcni 

 to purposes of importance and benefit to his country, immediately on hear- 

 ing the report of his navigators, projected the introduction of the cultivation 

 of the vine and the sugar-cane. The latter Avas brought from Sicily, where 

 the Arabs had attempted its culture. There were formerly upwards of a 

 hundred|mills in the island ; now there is but one, and only a few patches of 

 cane, in the country round Funchal. The vine has long been the chief pro- 

 duce of the island, although, probably, the culture of the sugar-cane will be 

 soon much increased. Of the gi*ain gi'own in the island, the quantity is not 

 sufficient for more than two or three months' consumption. For flour and 

 com, the inhabitants depend for supply on North American, Sardinian, and 

 other trading vessels, I left the island in a Greek ship, belonging to tlie 

 Bay of Nauplia, which had brought a cargo of Avheat all the way from tlie 

 Sea of Azoph. A considerable quantity of milho, or Indian corn, is iiri- 

 portcd from tljo Azores. The attention of the public authorities in Funchal 

 is at present much directed to the condition of its agriculture, by which tlie 



fy*ej»oiuccs of the island are capable of great improvement. 



