842 Dr James Macaulay on the Fht/sical Geography, 



every spot where a projecting ledge, or a fissure in the preci- 

 pice, permits of their growth, are seen the trunks of aged trees, 

 the dark foliage of which overshadows the gulf beneath. 

 These trees are so far scattered, that the traveller in looking 

 down into the gloomy shade, here and there gets a glimpse 

 far beyond of lighter and less rugged scenery, even down to 

 the cottages, and gardens, and vineyards by the river side in the 

 valley, more than two thousand feet below him. 



On returning from this view, we cross the narrow ridge al- 

 ready mentioned, having on the one side the Corral, and on 

 the other side the Serra d'Agoa, also a magnificent valley, 

 more like a ravine in its aspect, and the sides clothed in a si- 

 milar manner with native wood. The path is only a few feet 

 wide, so that the traveller looks directly down into the immense 

 depth on either side. The grandeur of the prospect from this 

 point of view may be readily imagined. 



The north side of the Serra d'Agoa is bounded by the pre- 

 cipitous side of the Pico Grande, a mountain of great height 

 and most imposing grandeur. For some way the path is cut 

 in the face of the cliff, which in some parts so much overhangs 

 the road, that one feels little inclination to pause sufficiently 

 to notice the various wonders of the scenery, or to gather the 

 rare and beautiful flowers and ferns that abound upon the 

 moist rocks in the locality. Amongst these mountain plants, 

 some of the most conspicuous in the spring are the Ranunculus 

 grandifolius^ Lowe, a fine species with yellow petals larger than 

 those of our Great Spear wort (R. Lingua) ; Riiscus hypoglos- 

 8um ; Asplenium Canariense ; Gymnogramma Lovei. 



After winding round the Pico Grande, the ride continues 

 for several hours through the mountain district ; every turn of 

 the path presenting new and diversified combinations of sce- 

 nery. Having descended from the high grounds, and passed 

 a tract clothed with modern plantations of fir, birch, and un- 

 derwood, we enter the lovely valley of St Vincente. It lies 

 between two parallel chains of mountains, which run down to- 

 wards the sea from the central chain of the island. These are? 

 throughout, of great height, and wild and rugged in their form 

 and outline. In some places the valley is much contracted, 

 and at its outlet only a narrow pass is left for the escape of the 



