S70 Dr James Macaulay on the Physical Geography^ 



dula Maderensis^ Gompkocarpusfmticosus, Chamcemorus coriacea^ 

 a beautiful tree belonging to the Rosacese, and closely allied 

 in character and appearance to our hawthorn (Cratwgus), 

 Gnaphalium crassifolium^ Contohulus althoeifolius^Jasrninum odo- 

 ratissimum (rare), a magnificent plant, both as regards the 

 beauty of its dark foliage, and the colour and fragrance of its 

 yellow flowers ; and along with these the Cassia bicapsularis, 

 Pelargoniums, and many introduced plants thoroughly natu- 

 ralized. This short extract from the list of a day's collectanea 

 in December, may shew what pleasure the botanist can derive 

 from his field pursuits, even in the winter, in Jiladeira. 



In ascending from the coast, the temperature of course di- 

 minishes with the increase of elevation. From the mountains 

 rising almost immediately from the sea, the stations of differ- 

 ent tempei-ature are, in aspect and to observation, brought 

 close together. The resulting difference in vegetation I have 

 already described. Many other effects of this union of various 

 climates are remarkable. In the vicissitudes of the times and 

 seasons of the year, too, are presented some peculiar and in- 

 teresting appearances. Whether spring is now anywhere on 

 the earth to be met with in that form in which poetry loves to 

 paint it, and tradition describes it as having reigned in the 

 primal ages of the world, may indeed be doubted. In our 

 own climate the season is marked by the bursting forth of 

 fresh verdure, and the renewal of woodland melody, and all 

 those delightful changes by which the wakening earth starts 

 into new life and gladness ; but we know nothing of the 

 " ethereal mildness," of the " balmy softness," of the " bland 

 zephyrs," of the spring of poesy. In those regions of the 

 south again, where the chilling sensations and the various un- 

 genial accompaniments of our season are absent, there is not 

 enjoyed the pleasure arising from the sudden vicissitude in the 

 aspect of nature that is here so striking. In Madeira, and 

 especially in the district around Funchal, most of the elements 

 of vernal delight are in a remarkable degree united, and a 

 nearer approach made to the fancied perfection of the season, 

 than in any other climate could be met with ; for, while there 

 has been throughout the winter little perceptible alteration of 

 temperature, and the abundant verdure of the native evergreens 



