82 Baron Voii Buch's Observations on Madeira 



having its walls covered and ornamented in so remarkable a 

 manner. But why these fogs surround Laguna more than the 

 other parts of the neighbouring plain, is owing to the town's be- 

 ing situated exactly in the place where we again begin to de- 

 scend towards the south coast. When the north-east summer 

 trade wind passes Laguna, it is turned to the north-west by the 

 mountains. On the contrary, the sea-breeze below, blows dur- 

 ing the day from the south. The air, on both sides, meets ex- 

 actly where the town lies, and the decrease of heat is accordingly 

 greater. Above, a httle way down the declivity, stands a wind- 

 mill, whose wings are continually turned towards the north-west. 

 Below, half way to Sta Cruz, at an elevation of about 900 feet, 

 stands another wind-mill, with its wings continually presented 

 to the south ; for the sea breeze rises to this height ; and both 

 mills are commonly in motion at the same time. 



These fogs, and the beautiful springs which they produce, 

 have a powerful influence on the vegetation of the hills. Lovelier 

 trees than those in the splendid wood of Obispo, to the east of 

 Laguna, were never seen ; and here is found every tree that the 

 woody region of the island produces. There is a glorious place 

 at the Aqua de la mercede in the middle of the wood. Laurels 

 of inaccessible height form a close and lofty arch above the 

 source of these bright and translucent springs that run along 

 the plains like copious rivulets. The elegant leaves and flowers 

 of the Cinereria populifolia rankle so luxuriantly and delusively 

 above the soil, that they must be narrowly inspected before we 

 are convinced that they are not young copses of black populars. 

 Benches are placed around ; and here v/e almost continually 

 meet with company from Laguna, amusing themselves in the 

 refreshing coolness of the place. This wood, the Barancos, the 

 rocks on the height towards Punta di Naga, Tagauana curiously 

 concealed among the cliflPs, Tegueste and Tacaronte, detained us 

 for a long time in this neighbourhood. We abandoned our 

 large deserted habitation in Laguna, not without regret ; and, 

 on the 24th June, went down to Sta Cruz. Social hfe had its 

 attractions also. M. Le Gros (Humboldt, Bel. i. 113), had in- 

 stituted a school of arts, which had contributed much to the dif- 

 fusion of taste among the inhabitants ; and we found him with 

 some thirty scholars, who were drawing from life. Dr Lavione 



