74 Baron Von Biich's Observations on Madeira 



vations upon the increasing quantity of rain accumulated near 

 the surface, in other respects an accurate individual) mentions that 

 he, by barometrical observations, according to De Luc's formula, 

 had calculated the height of Pica Ruivo at 4825 French feet. 

 The barometer was not observed by himself, however, but by 

 some English travellers, whom he does not name. He does 

 not give the barometrical height, but merely the result, (^Phil. 

 Trans. Iv. 126). This measurement may, therefore, be con- 

 sidered somewhat doubtful. Two later observers, instead of re- 

 moving this doubt, have only increased it. The celebrated 

 Captain Sabine saw the barometer on the summit of Pico Ruivo 

 on 13th June 1822, 23° In., 4.54 Lin. par. therm, r.8 R : In 

 Funchal 7 J feet above the sea, 28.6,-33,-13.1 ; which gives the 

 mountain an elevation of 5011 French feet. 



Bowdich had ascended the mountain about the same time, 

 and had seen the barometer at a height of 22° In., 10°.7 Lin. par 

 therm., 7°.5 R : In the house of the Consul Veitch, at Funchal, 

 28.-5,6,-16.4. This house lies 145 feet above the sea; the top 

 of the mountain is therefore 5788 French feet, 304 feet more 

 than Cima de Toringa, according to one account, {JamesmCs 

 JEJdin. Journal, xviii. 317.) There can be no doubt of the 

 greater height of Pico Ruivo ; and there being little probability 

 of error in the continued series of our observations, I consider 

 that Bowdich's measurement, contained in his letter to Jameson, 

 is to be preferred. 



Towards the evening of Tuesday 2d May, we left Funchal 

 and Madeira. The wind carried us tediously along. The cap- 

 tain, however, on the 4th, told us that he saw the Peak. He 

 saw it with a seaman's eye from the tint of the atmosphere 

 above it. It was not visible to us ; but early on the 5th, Te- 

 neriffe was completely spread out before us. At the distance 

 of about twenty-seven miles, the Peak rose above the clouds, 

 vast and majestic ; and the snow was seen lying upon its decli- 

 vity, and descending almost to the woods ; while the people 

 were busily engaged with the wheat harvest, on the gently 

 sloping shore of Tacaronte. At length Orotava appeared be- 

 neath the clouds of the Peak, as Frascati does from Rome, and 

 a distinct stream of lava stretching from the Peak towards the 



